Trouble Is

Kenny Wayne Shephard's has established himself as an immediate sensation-the most gifted young guitarist to arrive in years. His much-anticipated second album, Trouble Is..., is an astonishingly, powerful follow-up that proves him to be an artist with a boundless future ahead of him. A stinging set of electric blues played with passionate conviction, Trouble Is... should dramatically expand his already-huge fan base.

Certified platinum by the RIAA. (1/99)

It's not hard to understand the appeal of Kenny Wayne Shepherd, currently being hailed as the heir to Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's young (an increasing rarity in blues and blues-related genres), he writes catchy songs, and his "Blue on Black" is widely played on rock radio. Trouble Is . . . is an enjoyable listen, from rockers like "Slow Ride" and "Chase the Rainbow," to swingy mid-tempo songs like "True Lies" and "(Long) Gone," to slower almost-ballads such as "Nothing to Do with Love" and the all-pervasive "Blue on Black". Expect to start hearing "I Found Love (When I Found You)" at high school proms and homecoming dances. It remains to be seen how Shepherd will develop, but he's among the most promising young guitarists out there today. -- Genevieve Williams