Kenny Wayne Shepherd has recently unveiled his 2024 follow-up, Vol. 2, to the acclaimed 2023 release, “Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1“.

Conceived at the Muscle Shoals’ Fame Studios, brought to life in L.A., the album offers seven new electric blues tracks, plus one cover, each featuring outstanding hooks, riffs, guitar solos, and lyrics that fans have come to expect from his music.

Just like in Vol.1, the horn section featuring Joe Sublett on sax and Mark Pender on trumpet infuses the band’s sound with a delightful, soulful funky mix. Stax couldn’t have done it better.

Continuing the tradition from Vol.1, which included a cover of Elton John’s rockin’ 1973 hit “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” KWS and the band leap six years beyond “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” to perform ZZ Top’s rollicking “She Loves My Automobile” from their 1979 album “Deguello”. Wonderful.

Trivia: The first hit record from Fame Studios was the 1961 smash “You Better Move On” by Arthur Alexander, which was later covered by the Rolling Stones on their 1964 EP, The Rolling Stones.

Source: Apple Music. AllMusic. Graphic: Kenny Wayne Shepard, Dirt on My Diamonds Vol.2, Official Lyric Video, Provogue and KWS Music, Inc.