Doyle Bramhall II

Shades

Renowned sideman steps into the light After Doyle Bramhall II hit the pause button on his sideman activities a couple of years ago, he produced the critically acclaimed solo album Rich Man. Now he’s back on a brand-new label with Shades – his unique and sophisticated blend of Southern rock and soulful blues. With a CV that includes accompanying artists such as Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, Roger Waters and T-Bone Burnett, he’s had an eclectic and fulfilling career. He says: “Without appearing immodest, I can admit that I’ve led a pretty charmed life.” As a result,

Shades is embellished with guest appearances from Clapton and Jones, as well as The Tedeschi Trucks Band, with Derek Trucks adding his spirited slide work on the album’s closer, Going, Going, Gone.

Superstar guests aside, the album bites deep from the first track, the powerful Love And Pain with its Stevie-Wonder-style changes, gritty vocals and splintered guitar lines. The songwriting, arrangements and production are the real stars throughout and there’s a lyrical dark edge on tracks such as Hammer

Ring that recall the vocal style of the late Chris Whitley’s early work with fuzzed-up grungy guitars to match. It’s not all rough and tumble, though. Switching into ballad mode in a duet with Norah Jones, Searching For Love is one of the album’s highlights, with some soulful guitar-playing garnishing the performance through to the last drop. There’s much to admire here in the way of power, funk, grind, grunge and balladry that survive many a repeated listening. [DM] Standout track: Searching For Love For fans of: John Mayer, Jonny Lang