ALBUM REVIEW: Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Cross Generational Gap on the Lively ‘Young Fashioned Ways’

Bobby Rush has been singing the blues and reigning as King of the Chitlin’ Circuit longer than most of us have been alive. The nonagenarian remains a potent artist, maintaining a touring schedule and recording output more befitting someone half his age. That industriousness and vitality makes his latest album a particular delight.

Rush teamed up with blues guitar ace Kenny Wayne Shepherd for Young Fashioned Ways. Each is a genre legend in their own right and on the LP, the pair bridge the generational divide (Rush is 91, Shepherd 47) for a 10-song romp that maximizes the considerable charms of each performer.

Young Fashioned Ways contains four revamped Rush songs, a reworked version of Muddy Waters’ “Young Fashioned Ways” entitled “Young Ways” and five new co-written tracks. “Uncle Esau” and “40 Acres (How Long),” originally conceived as acoustic tunes by Rush, sound brawnier sonically with Shepherd’s six-string virtuosity leading the way. On “G String,” Shepherd’s rhythmic acoustic playing provide a sturdy accompaniment to Rush’s characteristically innuendo-laden lyrics and vocal delivery.

Of the originals, “You So Fine” has some top-notch mouth harp from Rush and a gritty, fuzzed-out lick from Shepherd. It pairs nicely with a similarly structured track, “Hey Baby (What Are We Going To Do).” Together, both serve as masterclasses in 12-bar blues and provide tight encapsulations of the duo’s creative and performative chemistry. Lead single “Who Was That” marries Rush’s soulful full-band sound with Shepherd’s masterful lead guitar playing for a vibrant, groovin’ listen. “Young Ways” is a rhythmic electric blues piece punctuated by a face-melting solo from Shepherd. It’s rooted in the tradition of Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, who were peers of Rush and heroes to Shepherd. In choosing to adept the song for the album, their rendition underscores the duo’s shared musical reference points and creative synergy.

That palpable connection propels Young Fashioned Ways and makes for an engaging listening experience. Rush and Shepherd have a lengthy tour together planned in support of the record. Based on how that sounds, it should be a helluva live show.

Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Young Fashioned Ways is out March 21 via Thirty Tigers