Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll (2011)

×

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll (2011)

Close

Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne is a veteran blues and boogie piano player, raised in New Orleans but a long-time Vancouver resident. In uenced by Fats Domino and Johnnie Johnson, Kenny has worked in the past with Joe Louis Walker, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, Billy Preston and members of Sly & The Family Stone. His bass-heavy boogie piano work and original songs makes for powerful live performances, enhanced by the sartorial splendor of his boldly colored, French custom-tailored stage suits. An Old Rock On A Roll, was produced by Duke Robillard who says, “He’s a monster pianist, a soulful singer, and he captures the essence of old school blues and boogie while sounding totally fresh and contemporary”.

×

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll (2011)

Close

Winner of 2010 Living Blues piano player of the year award, a 2006 Juno Award and dozens of other honors, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne is the complete package: a singer/songwriter/blues piano man and a nice guy. He’s a natural musician and singer and DVD music instructor who is steeped in tradition yet makes all of his music sound fun and refreshing. This Duke Robillard–produced release is a masterful collection of fully realized compositions, all written by Wayne.
While there is a retro quality to the overall production, several songs have crossover potential thanks to strong writing and arranging and irresistible hooks. Examples include the title track, An Old Rock on a Roll, with its tinge of New Orleans funk, Searching for My Baby, and Devil Woman, which has a comfortable country lope to it until a surprisingly pop-like bridge adds appealing depth.
Wayne’s boogie-woogie and New Orleans–flavored ivory-rolling is becoming deservedly legendary: Fats Domino’s crowd-pleasing influence is evident from the outset on Searching for My Baby. Run Little Joe, the light rumba account of a conman, uses the horns to great effect, ending with a riotous New Orleans–style jam. And some second-line drumming from Mike Teixeira and four-note guitar noodling propel the squeaky-tight little gem Howlin’.
But Wayne also summons a fine Otis Spann–inspired underpinning for Heaven Send Me an Angel, with its story of a drinker’s fantasy. And the subtle swing and slyly comic lyrics of Wild Turkey sound straight from the Dave Bartholomew or Louis Jordan songbooks, with Wayne pacing it like one of the pros of the past. Fantasy Meets Reality is a rocking tale that details a working man’s misfortunes and provides an opportunity for Wayne to roll the keys on both organ and piano.
Robillard keeps the horns and his own guitar at a respectful distance throughout, supporting Wayne in the manner of the masters before guitar became a domineering instrument. But on lush slow blues such as Don’t Pretend and Wild Turkey Robillard comes forward, turning in solos that are subdued yet smartly sophisticated.
An instrumental gospel rave up, Give Thanks ends the set with Wayne playing organ left-handed while he plays piano melodies with his right.
This release is certain to garner many deserved nominations and awards and leaves the listener eager for whatever’s next from the irrepressible Wayne.

By Justin O'Brien (Living Blues, Aug/Sep 2011)

×

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll (2011)

Close

×

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll (2011)

Close