Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
It may be the same story, but art has a way of differentiating between acts, to separate chapters and expressions even with the text and idea being of the same sound and enquiring mind; whilst the concept album may hold the secrets to a storyboard account of a moment stretched out and given flesh, a volume is nuanced, it acknowledges the material created as having a different vein throbbing away majestically inside the body of work, and therefore whilst it occupies the same body as its predecessor, it is an animal of another disposition entirely.
This separation of art across all the disciplines is a yin and yang effect, or maybe thanks to the vision on offer by the entertaining and erudite Kenny Wayne Shepherd it is more of the beast within, the rocket fuelled energy given room to manoeuvre and give the senses, and the heart, a regal embrace of what Dirt On My Diamonds would sound like in its second volume.
Following on from the highly intuitive and deeply admired first volume, the multi-platinum Grammy nominated star returns with a set of songs that are undeniably cool, filled to the brim with expression, and interpretation. Each moment is defined by its vision, its unique, but rock attaining credentials and as the musical journey continues to magnify in spirit, as it probes the defences of the uninitiated and multiplies its seasoned performance, so tracks such as the incredible opener of I Got A Woman, the heated lament and groove of My Guitar Is Crying and Never Made It To Memphis, the vibe and passion of Pressure and the finale of She Loves My Automobile are overwhelmingly and lovingly bruising and infinite.
This is a truth of musical exploration, it is the ability to withstand the desire to put out all you create in one massive explosion of release, that by staggering issues you enforce your vision over a longer, more dynamic period; and whilst the meaning may come from the same story, the chapters so intensely worked over are seen as anticipating liberation of continued expression.
A superb addition to the positive and creative vibe of Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 2, Kenny Wayne Shepherd once more thrills the listener with calm proclamation and a guitar that sings magnificently.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd releases Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 2 on 20th September 2024 via Provogue Records.
Ian D. Hall