Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 is a real stunner, filled with the same sense of excitement that proclaimed his arrival as the next paragon of blues rock 30 years ago. As expected, Shepherd’s guitar playing is assertive and brawny, yet precisely poised. Increasingly accomplished as a singer, he shares vocal duties with Noah Hunt. Strong material, beautifully integrated, the eight glorious tracks have the spontaneous flow of the preordained. Horns add punch and drama to the opening track, “I Got a Woman.” “The Middle” is a wah-wah-wow guitar wonder. “Long Way Down” smolders with unadulterated, free-range blues rock, while “Watch You Go” revisits the classic mid-tempo blues grinder. Wrapping it all up with a bow on top is Shepherd’s rocking rendition of ZZ Top’s “She Loves My Automobile.” Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 is a musical gem destined for many replays.
-Ken Wright
5/5
