The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – Trouble is…25 – Queens Hall – Edinburgh, Scotland – 19/04/23

20th April 2023 0 By Jon Deaux

It’s hard to believe that Kenny Wayne Shepherds critically acclaimed 2nd album is now 25 years old and was recorded back when he was just 19 and tonight, in Edinburgh, he’s playing that classic album in its entirety.

All the songs were played, but not in the same order as the record which made for a superb new way to experience this 25-year-old work of art. Some of the songs were similar to what was on the record (I Found Love (When I Found You)) others were extended (Everything Is Broken) and others were otherworldly (Slow Ride).

Noah Hunt’s voice was impeccable and his delivery was outstanding. During the long instrumental sections where the band just jammed, Hunt left the stage so as to not take focus away from the band.

If you’re familiar with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, then you know that boy can play. Live he’s a completely different animal. He attacks the guitar in the same way Tyson Fury attacks his opponents.

Drummer “Whipper” Layton is such a cool cat behind the kit, just laying down the groove and letting the drums do the work. Incredible to watch and proof that you don’t need to be a heavy hitter to make the drums sing and produce extraordinary dynamics.

Speaking of dynamics, bassist Kevin McCormick and keys player Joe Krown provide all the necessary backing so KWS can go off on a tangent and lose himself in the music (which he does. ALOT) but being able to reel him back in like an 800-kilo Marlin.

The 5! encores were just as good as the main set with a couple of incredible dirty organ solos thrown in (You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now and Diamonds & Gold )

Diamonds and Gold was awe-inspiring. Kevins’ bass tone is ridiculous. It wasn’t until his solo during the track did you appreciate how good he is as a player but how clean his tone was. One of the best I have seen (and I’ve seen Billy Sheehan play his bass with a drill)

To put it simply, The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band blew my mind. I wasn’t sure what to expect as this was my 1st time seeing them live, but it won’t be my last. It was an incredible 2-hour show.

There’s a new album in the works, which means another tour and a whole new set of (hopefully) UK dates to pick from.

I can’t wait.

Set List
Trouble Is…
Somehow, Somewhere, Someway
Everything Is Broken (Bob Dylan cover)
Chase the Rainbow
I Found Love (When I Found You)
Nothing to Do With Love
King’s Highway
True Lies
(Long) Gone
I Don’t Live Today (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
Blue on Black
Slow Ride
Encore:
Woman Like You
I Want You
Diamonds & Gold (Keyboards and bass solos)
Heat of the Sun
You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now (B.B. King cover) (Keyboards solo)