Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Sage, Gateshead

A CHANCE meeting with Blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan, at the age of seven, set guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd onto a career that has seen him release seven studio albums, four of which achieved platinum status; tour the world with the Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Aerosmith and Van Halen and share a stage with iconic Bluesmen BB King and Hubert Sumlin over a career stretching almost two decades. All this by the age 37.

His a band of heavyweights included drummer Charlie Layton from Stevie Ray Vaughan`s band and Tony Franklin, bassist extraordinaire who`s CV includes playing with Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, Carmine Appice and even Kate Bush.

Shepherd's latest album Goin` Home pays homage to his heroes from the Three Kings (BB, Freddie and Albert) to Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters and his set leaned heavily towards his Blues side.

Spirited takes on Talk To Me Baby by Elmore James, a heartfelt You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now by BB King combined with Shepherd originals like Never Looking Back and the beautiful Blue on Black with Noah Hunt`s smouldering Bluesey voice evoking memories of a youthful Paul Rodgers

Seeing these guys in full flow is what music is all about, passion, energy, emotion and is an absolute joy to watch.

Shepherd`s riotous cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan`s The House Is Rockin` more than lived up to its name, while a closing triumvirate of Oh Well, a barnstorming I`m A King Bee and a stunning take on the Hendrix classic Voodoo Chile meant Shepherd was really letting fly with some serious fretboard histrionics. Blues is in safe hands for years to come.

Mick Burgess