Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
16 May 200
4th & B, San Diego, CA

    Kenny Wayne Shepherd rocks. Now, that's an understatement. Words cannot fully describe what a truly awesome guitar player KWS is. This show was probably the best live performance I've ever seen. I hope I can give a good accounting of the show, but I recommend you see him yourself to get the full story.
     This was the first time I'd seen KWS perform live, and I wanted to be up close. I arrived around 7:30 pm for an 8:00 pm show, and was surprised to find an empty spot right in front of the stage. I squeezed in and refused to budge for the entire show. I have to admit I was tired of standing after a couple of hours, but it was so worth it! Some woman came by and told me I'd taken her spot, and I'd "just have to leave." HA HA.
     I would guess there were close to eight hundred people at the show. 4th & B was packed, and everyone was drinking and having a good time. The opening band started right on time, Caroline's Spine, and they kicked ass. They were a somewhat heavy/rock/alternative(?) band. It's difficult to classify things these days. Let's just say they didn't play what Kenny calls his own music, "roots rock." Nevertheless, C.S. gave me a  very pleasant surprise because they were very talented. I was stationed directly beneath the lead singer/guitar player, who wasn't too hard on the eyes. I'm not sure if he thought the same thing about me, but he glanded at me fairly often while he was singing, often enough for my companion to  comment on it anyway. During one song, he was singing right to me and started waving his hands as if to perform some kind of voodoo on me or something. Well it worked, and I'm now his slave (wink). C.S. rocked steadily through their set of nine songs. With two guitars, they had a full, rich sound, but the singer agreed he wouldn't "waste any time on guitar solos" since we were all there to see KWS. At the end of the set, I was able to grab their set list when one of the roadies threw it out from under the curtain.
     Next, a short break, and time for the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. A sheer curtain covered the stage. The lights dimmed, but I could see Kenny behind the curtain since I was so close. He started playing a great blues riff and then the curtains opened and the lights came up. Kenny looked very good, I must say. The rest of the band soon joined Kenny onstage. When Noah, the singer, appeared, I thought, "How hot is he!" Dressed all in black like they were wearing some kind of rock 'n' roll uniform, Kenny & Noah looked like the stars that they are. I don't have the exact set list, but here are a few songs I remember. Shame from the first album; Slow Ride, True Lies, Somehow, I Found Love, and, of course, Blue on Black from Trouble Is... From the new cd, they played Where Was I, Last Goodbye, and Was just to name a few. Surprisingly, Deja Voodoo was absent, and Blue on Black came somewhat in the middle of the show. Definitely, Blue on Black has become the KWS band anthem. We, in the audience, sang along loudly, and we even got to do our own solo.
     One of my favorite things for a band to do is cover another band's songs. The KWS Band performed a few covers, but my favorites were Midnight Rider by Allman Brothers, and Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix. The band rocked the whole place on Voodoo Child. It was a very powerful performance. Kenny did a Hendrix tribute by adding in guitar riffs from Purple Haze and Hey Joe. Noah sounded so much like like Jimi, it was amazing. He sang the song and towards the end, threw down the mike as if to say he could do no more, and left the stage. Kenny continued ripping on his Fender for another ten minutes. He played one handed, behind his head, even with no hands. In a final delicious move, Kenny lay the guitar down on the stage and caressed it like it was his lover. I know ever woman there wished she was that guitar.
     Overall, Kenny's performance was overtly masculine, sexually charged, and truly legendary. The guitar is not a separate entity from Kenny. He and his Fender are united in one body and all Kenny's emotions pour our from him through his guitar. His facial expressions are exquisite and his body movements convey the burning blood flowing through his veins. Noah has a soulful, gutsy voice that compliments Kenny's guitar work in every way.
     At the end of the show, the band members came by and quickly touched the hands of everyone who was in the front row. I was able to touch the hands of Kenny, Noah, and Keith, the bassist. I had tried so hard during the show to get a pick, but was unable. I begged the roadies and finally a guy came out and put something in my hand. I broke from the crowd, jumped in the air, and let out a little scream. In my hand were four KWS picks. It was a night I will never forget. If you ever get a chance to see the KWS band, do it. They are future legends of rock 'n' roll.