Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Young Fashioned Ways
Label: Deep Rush Records
Release date: March 2025
Can’t Miss Tracks: Hey baby (What are we gonna do), Long way from home, What she said
A Blues Dream Team: Rush Meets Shepherd
When 91-year-old blues legend Bobby Rush and 47-year-old guitar phenom Kenny Wayne Shepherd came together to create Young Fashioned Ways, it may have sounded unlikely on paper – but in sound, feel, and soul, this album is a match made in blues heaven. The generational gap doesn’t divide them; it fuels the fire of a record that celebrates the depth of blues history while proving it’s alive and thriving in 2025.
“There Might Be Snow on the Mountain …”
Bobby Rush sets the tone with a sly quote from Muddy Waters: “There might be snow on the mountain, but it’s fire down under the hill.” And that’s exactly what this album delivers. Shepherd and Rush pay homage to the traditions of blues while reinvigorating it with fresh energy and bold creative chemistry. This is blues as it should be – raw, real, and rhythmically rich.
Echoes of History: Inspired by Muddy Waters
Young Fashioned Ways draws its title from Muddy Waters’ rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Young Fashioned Ways,” and this nod to the past runs deep throughout the record. Much like the iconic Fathers and Sons album that brought together Waters with disciples like Bloomfield and Butterfield, this collaboration is rooted in reverence but electrified by originality.
Built on Respect and Synergy
This isn’t the first time Shepherd has honored the blues elders – his 2007 10 Days Out project showcased living legends of the genre. But Young Fashioned Ways is different: it’s not just a tribute, it’s a full-fledged creative partnership. Rush sings all lead vocals, and Shepherd steps back from showy solos, instead offering gritty, tight, and expressive guitar support that enhances rather than overshadows.
Their sessions took place at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, with Boo Mitchell (son of famed producer Willie Mitchell) engineering a stripped-down, warm, and deeply personal sound.
All Killer, No Filler: The Tracks
The 10-track album includes:
- “Who Was That” – A 12-bar banger that’s already getting buzz from its placement in the film Flight Risk. Big harmonica, crunching guitar, irresistible groove.
- “40 Acres (How Long)” – A soul-stirring, reimagined Rush track with gospel-inflected organ from Charles Hodges and aching lyrics touching on racial injustice and resilience.
- “What She Said” – The closing track, a traditional heartbreak blues number delivered with authenticity and emotional gravity.
- “G String” – Classic Rush: cheeky, suggestive storytelling paired with crisp acoustic guitar and irresistible charm.
- “Hey Baby (What Are We Gonna Do?)” – A gritty, smoldering 12-bar that could sit comfortably next to vintage Howlin’ Wolf or Hubert Sumlin cuts.
- “Make Love to You” – Smooth, seductive, and soaked in stomp-clap rhythm. Blues for the bedroom.
- “Uncle Esau” – A New Orleans-inflected romp with brassy swagger and backbeat fire.
- “You So Fine” – Mouth harp meets fuzzed-out lick. A perfect example of the duo’s shared spark.
- “Young Ways” – Their electrified reinterpretation of Muddy’s tune is a standout, complete with a blistering solo from Shepherd.
- “You Better Watch Yourself” – One of the deeper cuts that proves there’s no filler in sight.
Backed by a Stellar Band
When they’re not going toe-to-toe as a duo, Rush and Shepherd are joined by a killer band:
- Steve Potts on drums
- Charles Hodges on keys and organ
- Darryl “DJ” Pruitt on bass
- Doug Wolverton on trumpet
- Charlie Di Puma on saxophone
The band’s touch is subtle when needed and full-force when it counts, elevating the songs without overwhelming them.
Chemistry You Can Hear
It’s rare to hear an album where both artists seem to genuinely enjoy and inspire each other, but Young Fashioned Ways crackles with that connection. As Rush put it, “I’ve been waiting a long time for something like this to come knocking on my door.” Shepherd echoed the sentiment: “Once Bobby and I got together, it felt like home.”
That joy, that mutual admiration, is audible in every track.
Final Verdict: Blues Perfection
Young Fashioned Ways is an instant classic – rich in history, loaded with passion, and executed with flawless chemistry. Whether you’re a long-time blues fan or just dipping your toes in the muddy waters, this is the kind of record that makes you believe in the power of the genre all over again.
No skips. No gimmicks. Just blues the way it’s meant to be played.
Out now. Don’t miss it.
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