Photo by Rhiannon Brundage
Blues/rock/Americana standout Shane Dwight is back and better than ever with his new album “No One Loves Me Better.”
Dwight, a native of Morgan Hill, California, who now lives in Nashville, has played 3,500-plus shows over the past 20 years. This latest release is via Red Parlor Records, and was recorded at Grammy Award-Winner Kevin McKendree’s studio in Franklin, Tennessee. The experience and high-level care to attention is evident.
The album comes in strong with title track “No One Loves Me Better,” where guitars are immediately reminiscent of “Had Me A Real Good Time” by The Faces, but the pre-chorus and chorus give it an Americana feel ala John Mellencamp (the definitively better, early, grittier Mellencamp.)
The production is immediately noticeable as a cut above. There are great sounds throughout from every contributor, very clear, smooth but not slick, and you can tell that choices were made to capture tone at the level of the instrument takes, with fewer effects needed later on the back end.
“She Likes To Ride” brings things a little more up tempo. At this time, it occurs to me that Dwight reminds me of another Central California world-touring guitar slinger/songwriter with a similar blend of genres, Shawn Jones. They’d be great together!
“Bullets & Gasoline” serves this album well in the cleanup spot. Heavy, bluesy, rocking, with a dark, aggressive storyline. Killer guitar playing. I really mean that. There are a million great guitar players out there, but this guy is high level — he hits switches, but it’s methodical. Also, he plays with open tunings, which is way up my alley. “Shakin’” is just plain TOUGH. Sounds like Drive-By Truckers at their absolute best. “Trial of a Poet” ends things straight from the crossroad, deep South, rusted-but-right resonator guitar, coupled with rot-gut-whiskey-soaked vocals.
This is an outstanding album. Shane Dwight proves that there is so much depth of amazing music out there today, you just need to look in the right places. This is as good and complete of a new record as anything I’ve heard over the past year. Highest of marks. Five out of five whiskey shots.
— Jon Siembieda
- Shane Dwight
‘No One Loves Me Better’
Released: April 5, 2019
In concert:
2019 Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival
Friday, June 14
Third Street Stage
4pm Jason King Band
6pm Shane Dwight
Fourth Street Stage
3:30pm Mike Furlong
5:30pm Buddy Emmer Blues Band
7:45pm Berlin with Terri Nunn
Saturday, June 15
Third Street Stage
11:30am Jason King Band|
1:30pm Buddy Emmer Blues Band Featuring Mighty Mike Schermer
3:30 Buddy Emmer Blues Band Featuring Andy Santana
5:30 Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio
Fourth Street Stage
12pm Mike Furlong
2pm Briefcase Full of Blues
4pm Shane Dwight
6:30pm WAR
