Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 Review
Kenny Wayne Shepherd returns with Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2. The album follows Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1, which was released late in 2023 and was voted to Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2023. Both albums were held back during the pandemic. Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 is compact like the first album with eight tracks.
This album was written in Muscle Shoals, Alabama just like Vol. 1. It was recorded at FAME Studios. Shepherd said, “The whole reason we went down to Muscle Shoals was to soak up the vibe that’s been left in that room for so many decades.”
Vol. 2 kicks off with the lead single “I Got A Woman,” a rocker with a groovy beat featuring Kenny on vocals complimented by a horns section. The second track, “The Middle” opens with horns and Noah Hunt takes the reigns on vocals. It features a catchy chorus and the guitar solo features drenched wah-wah complimented by the horn section. The album takes a mellow turn on “My Guitar is Crying.” Kenny’s voice works really well on songs like this and he makes the guitar cry on the solo but keeps it tight complimenting the song and not overpowering it. Another strong suit of Kenny’s, serving the song with the guitar and not the other way around.
“Long Way Down” heads back in the rock direction with Noah on lead vocals. Hunt sings about a person down on their luck but not giving up. The single, “Never Made It To Memphis,” is an album standout with Kenny on vocals and is a roll-down-the-windows and play-it loud rocker. Noah sings on “Watch You Go,” which is one of the bluesiest tracks on the album. The horn section really shines here. Back to Kenny on lead vocals, “Pressure” is a super funky tune where Shepherd sings about unneeded pressure from outside influences. The album closer, “She Loves My Automobile,” a ZZ top cover, is a shuffle where Kenny stretches his wings a bit more on the guitar.
Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1 was a great album. Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 is even better. This is a very tight blues rock album with each track worthy of being a single. It’s been a long wait for Kenny Wayne Shepherd to release all of this music, but it’s been worth it. Kenny and the band are dialed in and firing on all cylinders. Great hooks, great songs, great musicianship, the total package. Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 is definitely a standout album of 2024.
The Review: 9/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– I Got A Woman
– The Middle
– My Guitar Is Crying
– Long Way Down
– Never Made It To Memphis
The Big Hit
– Long Way Down
