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Kenny's guitar playing is hautingly similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn's and the vocals are a perfect match for the bluesy sound. The sound is very professional, but not sterile like a lot of studio recordings, it has a very "live" feel.

This album features a remake of the Jimi Hedrix tune Changes (named Them Changes on this album) off the Band of Gypsys album. I was skeptical at first, but man it rocks!

If you are a fan of the blues you must buy this album!


Holy shades of Hendrix, Batman!   August 22, 2002
 9 out of 15 found this review helpful

Aaaaarrrrgggghhgh. I liked what I heard of Ledbetter Heights. I thought Trouble Is... was a worthy effort despite its being overly derivative. I still find Live On an enjoyable, high-energy slice of blues-tinged rock. However: I still hear Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix all over this disc, and I don't mean just the cover of "Them Changes." For a first record or two, it's understandable that a new artist will have some influences on his sleeve. But since this is Kenny's third album and (to my ears) he's still doggedly following in the footsteps of others, never taking a step in his own direction, I have to notch down an extra star. This is an album full of hot licks and fiery riffs, and I can't shake the feeling that I've heard them all before.

Am I being too harsh? Maybe. If you like hard rock with a touch (or more) of the blues, this is some fine stuff. Kenny's put together a smoking band and Noah's vocals have just the right blend of power and grit. A few nice breathers are thrown in amidst the thunder; "Electric Lullaby" is nicely muted and dreamy. "Was" starts out muted and swampy before thumping into a killer groove. Peter Green's "Oh Well" is kicked into space with hyper rocking force. The overall musicianship is a notch above Kenny's previous work as well (and it doesn't hurt that a few top-notch guests pop up, including Les Claypool and Double Trouble). I still wonder what the KWS band will sound like when/if Kenny lets his own voice as a writer & performer grow beyond his predecessors. In the meantime we've got these flawed little gems to enjoy.. but I for one prefer the original over an imitation.


Foward to the Past   January 6, 2000
 8 out of 11 found this review helpful

First let me say that Kenny Wayne is in my opinion one of the emerging great guitarists of our time. However his newest release is more of a "holding serve" effort rather then a step further up the ladder of development. It is very listenable, is well crafted and has a good pace to it, but the overall front to back quality doesn't approach "Trouble Is" It is more on a par with "Ledbetter Heights" which was a good debut album that gave us a glimpse of what we might expect down the road (ie. "Trouble Is"). I would have preffered a live album with perhaps one or two new songs with Kenny Wayne exploring some vocals. (a voice he professes to have but has yet to demonstrate). Never having caught him live the prospect of hearing live versions of "Deja Voodoo", "True lies", "Blue on Black" or " Chase the Rainbow" might have been more interesting than "Live On" which may have been released a little prematurely. I think with another six months to a year to work on "Live On" It could have been a progression from "Trouble Is" rather than some thing to hold my attention until that step occurs. I have in no way lost confidence in KW but I think industry pressure should be taken out of his equation so he can develop naturally. I doubt however that that will happen. Good Luck "Kenny Wayne" We'll be waiting.


more good ol' smokin licks   November 13, 1999
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has truly earned his spot in the blues world as a player and songsmith. HOT HOT playing, and slamming riffs make Shepherd shine on this record... let's see more Kenny, but let's move away from Albert King and SRV licks - start melding your own blues.... then you'd have something revolutionary and 5 starred.