Live On
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 October, 1999)
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Editorial Review

Never mess with a good thing; Kenny Wayne Shepherd certainly hasn't. There's no appreciable stylistic difference between Live On and its predecessors, Trouble Is... and Ledbetter Heights, except that Shepherd's guitar work here sounds more assured. All of the other usual ingredients are present--a full, crunchy guitar sound, a tight rhythm section, mature-sounding vocals from Noah Hunt, and the usual assortment of uptempo rockers and slower, sweeter numbers. If Shepherd seems to be edging closer to the rock side of the blues-rock genre, it's hardly surprising given that's where he's had his greatest success. And if the result doesn't seem to quite transcend genre boundaries, it is, at least, a high-octane, energetic effort. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (68)

one of my favorite albums, without doubt....
There really isn't anything flawed about this album at all. If I had to pick one thing, it would be that it sounds a little too much like the music of Kenny Wayne Shepherd's idols - Stevie Ray Vaghan, Jimmy Hendrix, etc. No harm in that, though! Shepherd is so young, the fact that he sounds this good is amazing, and I'm more then willing to cut him some slack as far as his original sound goes. Believe me, he's got time to work on that.

It's really just a fun album, nothing too deep or painful, and easy to listen to without being cheesy or boring. Cool lyrics, great vocals, and of course there's the amazing guitar! Obviously for fans of blues and rock, since it probably won't appeal to anyone into really hard rock, punk, R&B, or anything of that sort. Has a sort of twangy country feel to it, without it being twangy or country (are you following me?). Even a rather folky sound, although folky is not a word I would use to describe this CD at all.

One of my favorites, albeit I have unusual tastes (my preferences go from Celtic to Rock to R&B and back again), and definitely worth a listen. I wasn't a fan of this blues-y genre until buying this album, and even now I'm not sure I really am a "fan" - but this CD has got me thinking about it, definitely.

I first heard of Shepherd on VH1, after seeing his music video to the first single "Last Goodbye". Moving, beautiful song that has gotten me hooked. Look out or you may be hooked, too!

His Best Yet
To hear Kenny Wayne Shepherd's new single, "In 2 Deep", as well as "Them Changes", you might think he had abandoned his blues roots altogether. These are two smoking hard-rock tracks, bordering on metal. But there is plenty of blues on "Live On", his best, most consistent release so far. Of course there are the standard blues shuffles in "Shotgun Blues" and "Losing Kind." "Last Goodbye" is a mid-tempo blues tune reminiscent of the lighter side of the Allman Bros. "Never Mind" and "You Should Know Better" are up-tempo blues with the familiar KWS swagger, and then there's the scorching cover of Peter Green's classic, "Oh Well." Ex-Allman Warren Haynes adds some slide guitar to "Every Time It Rains." The mood mellows considerably toward the end,and this is where "Live On" shines the brightest. The title track is an anthemic blues ballad with a gospel feel. The track features great background vocals by Stephanie Spruil and Pat Hodges. "Where Was I?" is a brisk soft-rock tune punctuated by Shepherd's bluesy soloing. The cd closes with the appropriately titled instrumental, "Electric Lullaby." A new addition to the KWS Band is bassist Keith Christopher, who plays on several albums by the hard-edged country-rock band Shaver. ("Unshaven:Live" is a great 5-star cd worth checking out.) Unfortunately missing from the KWS band is keyboardist Jimmy Wallace, who contributed greatly to the band's first two releases.

HOLY MACKEREL!!!
This guy can jam!. Buy his CD's!! If you get the chance to see him and his band live GO!!! - a true talent. I am so thankful that he is making this music as there are not too many out there. I was devasted when we lost Stevie Ray Vaughn. Now look, so young Kenny Wayne Shepherd, so gifted and devoted to the guitar...just think of how awesome he could become. LIVE ON Kenny Wayne, you are totally fantastic!! I dance like a maniac to all of your CD's when no one is watching!!! ;) ... Read more

Asin: B00001U03X

Ledbetter Heights
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 September, 1995)
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Reviews (42)

A young man with the blues
Kenny Wayne shepherd burst onto the scene as a young major league guitar slinger. A couple of releases later and he seems to have disappeared.Kenny Wayne earned and deserved all the accolades given him.Ledbetter Heights was and is still an excellent CD. Mostly originals with a few covers thrown in, Ledbetter Heights is his most bluesy effort.He has a solid and talented band.I have no preferance between Corey or Noah on vocals , both are strong singers.
Shame,Shame,Shame is my favorite cut, a great blues jam.Kenny has a great extended solo that hints at Stevie Ray. Born Under a Bad Sign, Deja Voodoo and Aberdeen all enjoyed radio airplay and are fine blues\rock songs.Aberdeen is a Bukka White song, it starts with acoustic sound with some slide guitar and then the band kicks in, theres plenty of slide guitar fills its a cool song.While We Cry sounds toooo much like The Allmans song Soul Shine, but it is a good showcase for Kennys deft and subtle touch. I'm Leaving You is a Howlin Wolf song played ala SRV. Let Me Up is a true blue Texas shuffle, short but sweet.Riverside sounds like a haunted night on the bayou ,very eerie.The last two tracks sound like filler material to me, not bad ,but not up to the standards set by the rest of Ledbetter Heights
My hope is that Kenny will put out a CD that will pay tribute to all the blues legends he mentions in the liner notes. Ledbetter Heights gave me a taste as to how good he can be.One day he will be mentioned in the same breathe as these greats but he will need to release more great Cds like Ledbetter Heights.

Great debut album
Ledbetter Heights is a very strong debut album from Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Shepherd's guitar style is very reminiscent of the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Most of the material here is very strong. The opening tracks "Born With A Broken Heart" and "Deja Voodoo" received extensive airplay on AOR radio and are both excellent tracks featuring Shepherd's outstanding playing. Other strong tracks include the slow blues of "Shame, Shame, Shame", the soulful "Riverside", and the driving "Aberdeen". His version of Howlin' Wolf's "I'm Leaving You (Commit A Crime) is also an excellent track. However, the best example of Shepherd's playing may be on the slow live track "While We Cry" and the killer ending title track which sounds like it would fit in nicely on Vaughan's Texas Flood album. Other tracks such as "Everybody Gets The Blues" and "What's Goin' Down" are decent, but not as strong as the rest of the album. A great debut, highly recommended to fans of blues guitarists such as SRV as well as the new breed of blues players like Jonny Lang.

eh... not great
I didn't care too much for this album, i'd rather listen to SRV than KWS... his playing definitely shows his SRV influence... but when it comes to the blues you'd be better off checking out Rory Gallagher, Kim Simmonds + Savoy Brown, Buddy Guy's Stone Crazy album... there are much better blues albums out there with better playing and vocalists... so i wouldn't start here.
and hey logan... this cd was, i believe, released in '95... and Yellow Ledbetter, by Pearl Jam was written in either '91 or '92, which means Pearl Jam didn't rip off KWS... ... Read more

Asin: B000002L3P
Sales Rank: 3067

Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 November, 1998)
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Editorial Review

Experience Hendrix brings together the major singles with a stack of majestic album tracks and the career-defining live Woodstock version of "The Star Spangled Banner" on a fat 20-tracker. While best used as a sampler to direct new listeners to the immortal Are You Experienced, Electric Ladyland, and so on, the CD (which supplants the short-lived Ultimate Experience collection) does hang together as a listen. Its blend of Hendrix the rocker and Hendrix the underrated soul man is suggestive, painting a picture of a multifaceted genius and transcending its plainly mercenary origins. In the end, its effect--like that of all Hendrix's best records--is to remind us of a Jimi very, very much alive. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (128)

Get Experienced!
Jimi Hendrix forever changed the face of rock n roll his music was truely amazing. Hendrix did more things on guitar in a short 4 year career that most guitarist could not do in 20 years. He is the best guitarist, and shall ever remain the best. Not one single person in 30+ years has toped Jimi Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix was the man to get me into playing the electric guitar now he got me experienced, and I have a band all thanks to Jimi Hendrix. Experience Hendrix will get you turned on to Jimi Hendrix's music. This greatest hits compilation includes all of the hits like Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, and Hey Joe. Also songs from Axis Bold As Love like Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, and Bold As Love.

Then their is the songs from the masterpiece that changed the face of rock n roll Electric Ladyland.....Songs like All Along The Watchtower, Crosstown Traffic, and Voodoo Child(Slight Return). So far this includes all of the three complete studio albums Are You Experienced, Axis Bold As Love, and Electric Ladyland. Then their is the songs most people have never heard like Dolly Dagger, and Freedom from First Rays Of The New Rising Sun Hendrix's last album that was uncomplete when he died. Then their is also the Star Spangled Banner performed Live at Woodstock.

This album covers all of hendrix's known greatest hits that everybody loves. I recomend this to all of the early hendrix listeners this one is for you. I do think their should have been some songs added to this including Machine Gun a highlight from Hendrix's career he performed at the new year of 1970. But wait their is more Jimi Hendrix albums that are either rare studio work or live like South Sentra Delta, BBC Sessions, and The Band Of Gypsy's. Once again BUY THIS~Highly Recomened!

The ultimate experienced CD right here!
As a single-disc compilation, Experience Hendrix: The Best Of is an easy not so hard to beat thing. Drawing from all the original digitally remastered reissue MCA albums. This 20-track collection contain his hits of all the major highpoints in Hendrix's career songs like "Purple Haze", "Foxey Lady", "All Along The Watchtower", "Little Wing", "Red House", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Manic Depression" a live version from Woodstock of "Star Spangled Banner" and "Angel". It gives an accurate impression of why Jimi Hendrix was so revolutionary and influential in rock music history itself. All of his completed studio recordings are mandatory listening. As it is for a terrific guide introduction to this legendary guitarists own groundbreaking work!

True Rock.
This album definitly has a lot of great material, and will appeal to any Jimi Hendrix fan and most other people as well. Although some may argue about which song should or should not have been placed on this disk, it doesn't really matter, because almost everything Jimi played was good anyway. Please disregard "seawasp" if you are considering buying this album. He either has extremely poor taste in music or has never listened to the CD and just writes reviews for fun. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DHZJ

Voodoo Lounge
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 July, 1994)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Reviews (71)

The Stones are back
Strong return by the Stones. Here's what stands out on this album, at least for me.

1) Great instrumentation - Keith and Ronnie have never complemented each other so well. Also notable are Mick's harmonica solos and a harpischord on one of the songs.

2) LOUD drums - Charlie Watts' parts were recorded in a stairwell, resulting in a much better crisper, harder sound than in earlier albums

3) Amazing production. Thank Don Was for making the sound cleaner while retaining the Stones' grittiness.

Songs that should have been cut:
"Suck on the Jugular" and "Mean Disposition" - both are rather featureless

The rest, as far as I'm concerned, are all excellent efforts. Steel Wheels had too much of Mick's influence, as did Dirty Work.

The Verdict: Best Stones album since Undercover (a vastly underrated album in its own right)

Half of it is great!
It's a funny thing but the recent purely studio Stones albums tend to start off with a variety of hits and misses and end up with their best stuff. Not good for reviews, first impressions, and in-store listening - basically helping to sell the album. "Love Is Strong", "The Worst", "New Faces", "Out Of Tears", "I Go Wild" and the albums's last 4 tracks stand out. "Thru And Thru" is either a masterpiece or drunken indulgence depending on who you believe. Well it closed out season 2 of The Sopranos. Masterpiece! The surrounding songs rock and "Blinded By Rainbows" is pretty much as epic as Mick intended it to be. Enjoy it for the songs that are on. The sad part is there are some b-sides from this period that should have been on the album. "So Young" from the Some Girls days and "The Storm" particularly spring to mind.

a fairly good triumph
This was the Stones 1994 comeback. It is overall an uneven listen but nonetheless enjoyable. The goods, the lovely country ballad "The Worst", which it is not, the six minute blues-rock epic "Thru and Thru", the rambling harpischord of "New Faces" is something new, the tight horn arrangements and wah-wah guitar played by Mr. Rock'n Roll himself, Keith Richard, on "Brand New Car" triumph and last but not least the rockers, "I Go Wild", "Sparks Will Fly", "Love is Strong" and "You Got Me Rocking" rock hard and righteously. The bad, the syrupy ballads "Sweethearts Together", "Out of Tears" and the lugubrious "Blinded by Rainbows" all except the latter are throwaways. Then, the rest ranks between good and okay. Overall, its the not Stone's best album, but it still is an overall enjoyable listen. ... Read more

Asin: B000000W6L
Sales Rank: 16014

Unplugged
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 August, 1992)
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Editorial Review

Clapton caught the "unplugged" trend just at the right time, when the public was hungry to hear how well rock stars and their material can hold up when stripped of elaborate production values. Clapton himself seemed baffled by the phenomenon, especially when picking up the armload of Grammys Unplugged earned him, including Record and Song of the Year for "Tears in Heaven," the heart-rending elegy to his young son, Conor. That song and a reworked version of "Layla" got most of the attention, but the rest of the album has fine versions of acoustic blues numbers such as "Malted Milk," "Rollin' & Tumblin', and "Before You Accuse Me" that make it worth investigating further. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (100)

Spectacular Simplicity
Here is a great, defining moment in Clapton's epic career. This unplugged performance in 1992 reminded his old fans of how great he was while introducing him to a new generation to boot. What a contrast this was to the passionless and overproduced slop that undermined his mid-1980s albums. Along with the intimate acoustic atmosphere, another reason for the album's success was its near-perfect song selection. It's almost a summary of EC's career from 1970 to 1991. The most famous track, of course, is the reinvented "Layla," which Clapton transformed from his most raging rocker to his most tender ballad. The other reconfigured Derek & the Dominos song is "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," which nearly sounds like a ragtime tune here. Two of the most moving performances are "Before You Accuse Me" and "Running on Faith," which were two of the most memorable songs from his 1989 comeback album JOURNEYMAN. "Tears in Heaven," and "Lonely Stranger" might be his best songs of the 1990s. No Clapton album is complete without a couple of nods to Robert Johnson -- "Walkin' Blues" and "Malted Milk." The music is emotional but unforced, powerful yet unpretentious. Not since LAYLA (1970) has Clapton played and sung his heart out quite like this.

Acoustic Slowhand
MTV's Unplugged series started out as a curiosity to viewers who tuned in to see artists play their songs in acoustic versions. Many artists rose to the challenge of unplugging and playing their songs in the barest of forms. In alot of cases, the results were not only entertaining, but inventive and groundbreaking. Eric Clapton's Unplugged appearance falls into that category. Stripping away many songs to their core and reinterpreting old blues numbers, Mr. Clapton. The most startling song is "Layla". The original is a classic rock staple, thanks in large part to one of the most memorable guitar solos and codas in rock history. Stripped down to a shuffling blues riff, the song takes on a new meaning. The original was about unrequited love and you could feel the singers pain through the music. The new version is more of a man begging for a second chance. The big hit from the album is the haunting and beautiful elegy to his son, "Tears In Heaven". The song became a huge hit peaking at number two and went on to win Grammies for Record & Song of the Year. Other standout tracks include "Running On Faith" that has some wicked dobro playing, a Layla and blues chestnut "Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out", "Malted Milk", & "San Francisco Bay Blues". The album became his first top ten hit since 1981's Another Ticket and his first number one album since 1974's 461 Ocean Boulevard in addition to "Tears In Heaven's" Grammies, it won Album of the Year.

Unplugged [LIVE]
Unplugged [LIVE]~ Eric Clapton is a very good album. But it is not great and that has nothing to do with the music. I have always thought that Eric Clapton can sound very prententious in his choice of lyrics. Like he wants to write like Dante but then makes a poor copy of it. Beside this, it is a very good album. ... Read more

Asin: B000002MFE

The Cream of Clapton
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 March, 1995)
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Editorial Review

For a single disc, this is an admirable chronological tour of superstar Eric Clapton's mid-'60s-to-early-'80s career. It begins too late to include his gestational work with the Yardbirds and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. However, the singer-guitarist's days in Cream ("Sunshine of Your Love," "Crossroads," "White Room"), in Blind Faith ("Presence of the Lord"), as a fledgling solo artist ("After Midnight," "Let It Rain"), in Derek and the Dominos ("Layla," "Bell Bottom Blues"), and through the rest of the '70s ("I Shot the Sheriff," "Cocaine," "Wonderful Tonight," "Promises") to his '81 hit "I Can't Stand It" are well documented by this collection's 19 cuts. The down side is that the CD also vividly illustrates how insubstantial Clapton's work turned in the mid-'70s. But that won't be a problem for fans seeking hits. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Truly the very best of the former rock God, and then some.
I fully agree with the reviewer from Little Rock, AR about the fact that the one true flaw of this collection is that it's missing "Lay Down Sally". I have already written about that in my former review of 1982's "Time Pieces", an earlier Clapton compilation that did include it, along with a good version of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". Anyway, this particular album is real great for what it's worth, including very classic "Cream" from the '60's, and a bunch of cool still classic solo Clapton tracks from the '70's, up to 1981's "I Can't Stand It". My favorites included would have to be "After Midnight", "Let It Rain", the original, fast-paced rock ballad "Layla", and Clapton's remake of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff". I also like "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Cocaine". Hey, I almost forgot to mention, I also sort of like the first three on this album from the mid '60's from when Clapton was part of Cream. Does anyone else out there know that the former lead singer of the early '80's girl group the Go-Go's, Belinda Carlisle, covered "I Feel Free", and it's included on "Her Greatest Hits", which I own and have already reviewed? That sure is interesting, her version is almost better than the original, I think. So, I do indeed recommend this collection, now for me it's on to review the third in the "Classic Clapton Trilogy" as I call it, the '80's to '90's "Chronicles" collection. See you over there!

Eric's Very Best
This collection of previously released material spans sixteen years of Eric Clapton's career(1966 to 1981). This is not entirely Clapton by himself. There are hits recorded by Cream,Blind Faith and Derek And The Dominoes. His first band was The Yardbirds who had a hit in 1965 entitled FOR YOUR LOVE which should have been on this album. According to the liner notes,he immensely disliked the song. So that's why it's not on this album. After '65,Clapton left the Yardbirds and formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker which would disband in '69. Songs from the Cream era are I FEEL FREE,SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE,WHITE ROOM,CROSSROADS and BADGE. PRESENCE OF THE LORD is a Blind Faith recording with Steve Winwood taking the lead vocal. Winwood would later go solo beginning in late 1980. Recorded by Derek And The Dominoes respectively in 1970 and '71 are BLUES POWER,AFTER MIDNIGHT,LET IT RAIN,BELL BOTTOM BLUES and LAYLA. In 1974,Clapton signed with RSO(Robert Stigwood Organization) Records and recorded the 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD album. The Bee Gees,were his new labelmates. From 461OB is the late Bob Marley's reggae classic I SHOT THE SHERIFF and LET IT GROW. Bob Dylan's KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR was released as a single in '75. HELLO OLD FRIEND is an OK song. WONDERFUL TONIGHT is a beautiful love ballad. COCAINE really rocks. PROMISES is an OK song also. I CAN'T STAND IT is from 1981's ANOTHER TICKET.

Fav Clapton Album
I never really thought much of Eric Clapton. His obsession with the blues seems a little nutty to me, but some of his songs are quite good. This covers his ENTIRE career, which is very long. It includes songs from his late-60's blues/rock band Cream, then includes Layla, from his Derek And The Dominoes work. And it also includes 'Prescence Of The Lord' from his controversial band Blind Faith. Can U handle more? It also includes the best of his solo work, including 'Wonderful Tonight', 'Promises', and many others. If ya wanna get started on this guy, get this one. ... Read more

Asin: B000001EEA