Photos and Review by Jim LaValley
Show photos HERE
The blues “super group”, the Rides formed in 2013, with Stephen Stills (vocals/guitar), Kenny Wayne Shepherd (vocals/guitar), Barry Goldberg (keyboard), Chris Layton (drums), and Kevin McCormick (bass guitar) played an intimate setting at Lupos Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI. There was private up-front VIP seating along with a full crowd behind them to witness this amazing blues performance.
To open the show, the Rides had Hamish Anderson (from Melbourne, Australia) jam out some blues all by himself with no supporting band. I thought he did a great job and set the mood for a blend of blues and jamming to come.
Just before the Rides took the stage, Stephen Stills, Barry Goldberg, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd were talking on the side of the stage for a few minutes. It was cool to watch them collaborate for a bit. While talking, Kenny Wayne had his cream colored Les Paul (which was a gift from his friend who is the editor of Hot Rod Magazine and used on both the Rides’ albums) and was warming up. The guitar tech had the cord hanging waiting for Kenny Wayne to just plug in and start the show.
The show started with “Kick Out of It” with Stephen Stills on vocals and at 71 years old, this legendary singer still has it. His raspy voice has a familiar sound that almost everyone can recognize, given his years with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and all the hit songs that they have had. Stills is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame inductee (from Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash). In interviews, Stills talks of a connection with Kenny Wayne as they are both from Louisiana and have the same roots. They “shared the same swamp”.
The synergy between these musicians is amazing and it shows again with their new album “Pierced Arrow”, which is the second album following the debut album “Can’t Get Enough”. Both albums have a combination of new original songs and covers they tried to make their own while paying homage to the originals, according to an interview with Billboard Music.
I personally have become a huge fan of Kenny Wayne Shepherd because of his ability to make his guitar scream and replicate previous legends’ (e.g., Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Muddy Waters, etc.) guitar riffs, adding his explosive style and with his own creativity. The sky is the limit for this living legend. Truly amazing to watch him.
Kenny Wayne and Stephen Stills traded off both the vocals and guitar solos effortlessly with the classic bluesy keyboard sound of Barry Goldberg. Barry Goldberg, who as a teenager in Chicago, sat in with Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, and Howlin’ Wolf, later played with Bob Dylan. He’s helped write songs that were recorded by musicians such as Rod Stewart, Gladys Knight, Joe Cocker, and Steve Miller.
At times Kenny Wayne would look over and kind of smile as he watched Stephen Stills jam a solo, but Kenny handled most of the heavy solos effortlessly. He has credited Stills with encouraging him to take the lead microphone and embrace it, and he has. Kenny Wayne’s voice and the blues fit perfectly together and with Stills’ voice, the keyboards in the background, and a tight rhythm section with Chris Layton and Kevin McCormick. The band truly has a unique sound that is both relaxing and exciting.
For a total of 17 songs, this set was one for the history books:
- Kick Out of It
- Riva Diva
- Roadhouse
- Talk to Me Baby (Elmore James Cover)
- By My Side
- Virtual World
- Search and Destroy (Iggy and The Stooges Cover)
- Can’t Get Enough
- I’ve Got to Use My Imagination
- My Babe (Willie Dixon Cover)
- Don’t Want Lies
- Game On
- Blue On Black (Kenny Wayne Shepherd Song)
- Love The One You’re with (Stephen Stills Song)
Encore:
- Need Your Lovin
- Bluebird
- Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young Cover)
This show wrapped up the east coast leg. Shows are scheduled for the west coast that will finalize this tour. Kenny Wayne Shepherd will continue on with his solo tour on the east coast mid-summer through fall.
Hopefully, the Rides will continue writing new music and touring. Their sound is unique and the music is amazing. If you ever have a chance to see them, I wouldn’t hesitate.