Ahead of their eighth studio album, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band has released the single "You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover," which you can listen to above. The song is from his new album Goin’ Home that will be released in the United States on May 19. Kenny is no stranger to the blues, having picked up the instrument at age seven and being influenced by the genre. So it comes as no surprise that he would choose this Willie Dixon song to include on the album.
The album was recorded in Shreveport, Louisiana (Kenny's hometown) and features guest appearances from Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr, Warren Haynes, and more. For this song, Pastor Brady Blade Sr. of Shreveport's Zion Baptist Church contributed vocals, which can be heard in the second verse. It's a high energy tune with a ripping solo and impressive keyboard tickling from Riley Osbourn.
In an interview with musicradar, Kenny talked about why he chose this song to be on the album:
We included "Can't Judge a Book" to have a positive message on the album. It's just a fun song. Blues songs handle some tough subject matter, but there's also a very light side to the blues and a very joyful side, and as I get older, I gravitate more towards that. Rev. Blade just kind of showed up when we were cutting the song and said, "I'm gonna sing on that song with you." "OK." He came out and sang the song and just killed it.
You can pre-order Goin' Home at iTunes and Amazon. Kenny is currently on tour in Germany with his band until the 18th of this month, then will head back to the States for a nationwide tour with Robert Randolph. For further tour information and music news, check out his official website.
Source: Concord Music Group SoundCloud
