Guitarist
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
headed to the famed FAME studio in Alabama for a session that proved to be the genesis for
Dirt on My Diamonds, Vol. 1
. From the moment the title track kicks off the proceedings, the FAME connection is evident: it and "Sweet & Low" both are punctuated by the kind of big, punchy horns that are associated with FAME. The horns are present throughout the album, as are soulful grooves that are reminiscent of a variety of different R&B styles, from funk to sweet soul. The vibes are sunny, but
Shepherd
isn't indulging in nostalgia. He's blending different eras, spiking the proceedings with a rampaging cover of
Elton John
's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," then camouflaging a pointed social commentary on "Best of Times" with gonzo wah-wah guitars and drum loops. At eight tracks, this first volume of
Dirt on My Diamonds
breezes by, but that's also its charm: it's a concentrated blast of good times. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine