Stevie Ray keyboardist Reese Wynans hosts guitar summit on first solo album

Reese Wynans 

Reese Wynans & Friends, “Sweet Release” (J&R Adventures)

With a career going back to the 1960s, keyboard player Reese Wynans is probably best known for his time recording and touring with Stevie Ray Vaughan.

So it’s not surprising that “Sweet Release,” Wynans’ first solo album, is heavy on the SRV connections, including appearances by the Double Trouble tandem of drummer Chris Layton and bass player Tommy Shannon on several takes of the Texan guitarist’s tunes, like “Say What!” and “Riviera Paradise.”

In fact, the album is enriched by a long list of distinguished six-string masters, such as Warren Haynes, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doyle Bramhall II, Josh Smith, Keb’ Mo’ and Jack Pearson. They all seem to make Wynans feel right at home and his piano and organ playing bursts with energy and taste.

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Produced by Joe Bonamassa, who’s had Wynans on his own records for years, the album abounds with astonishing performances.

Sam Moore, half of Sam & Dave, sings SRV classic “Crossfire” with a passion like he’s the one ducking bullets, while the title track, a tune from Boz Scaggs’ 1969 legendary Atlantic Records debut, has eight lead vocalists — including Haynes, Bonnie Bramlett, Vince Gill and Mo’ — but veers far from ever sounding like an over-wrought charity song.

Mo’ and Wynans duet on “I’ve Got a Right to Be Blue,” sounding like Robert Johnson contemporaries; Haynes assumes command on Les Dudek’s “Take the Time” like he’s running out of it; and Wynans’ instrumental prowess elevates the funky “Soul Island.”

Still, with so many guests, Wynans knows how to shine within the ensemble, flashing his flair without unnecessary glare. When he is alone, as on the last track, a piano cover of Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird,” Wynans’ brilliance is beautifully clear.

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Track Listing:

Crossfire

Say What

That Driving Beat

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You’re Killing My Love

Sweet Release

Shape I’m In

Hard To Be

Riviera Paradise

Take The Time

So Much Trouble

I’ve Got The Right To Be Blue

Soul Island

Blackbird

Special Guests and Musician Credits:

Crossfire:

Reese Wynans -Keyboards

Sam Moore- Vocals

Chris Layton- Drums

Tommy Shannon- Bass

Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Guitars

Jack Pearson – Guitar

The Texacali Horns:

Darrell Leonard- Trumpet

Joe Sublett- Saxophone

Say What!:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Chris Layton- Drums

Tommy Shannon- Bass

Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Guitar

That Driving Beat:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Greg Morrow- Drums

Michael Rhodes- Bass

Mike Farris- Lead Vocals

Paulie Cerra- Lead Vocals & Saxophone

Josh Smith- Guitar

Jack Pearson- Guitar

You’re Killing My Love:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Lamar Carter- Drums

Travis Carlton- Bass

Doyle Bramhall II- Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar

Josh Smith- Guitar

Lee Thornburg- Trumpet

Paulie Cerra- Saxophone & Arrangement

Mahalia Barnes- Vocals

Jade MacRae- Vocals

Juanita Tippins- Vocals

Sweet Release:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Greg Morrow- Drums

Michael Rhodes- Bass

Joe Bonamassa- Guitar

Josh Smith- Guitar

Mahalia Barnes- Choir

Jade MacRae- Choir

Juanita Tippins- Choir

Paulie Cerra- Horns and Arrangement

Lee Thornburg- Horns

Lead Vocals in order:

Paulie Cerra

Keb’ Mo’

Mike Farris

Jimmy Hall

Bonnie Bramlett

Vince Gill

Warren Haynes

Paulie Cerra

Shape I’m in:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Chris Layton- Drums

Tommy Shannon- Bass

Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Lead Guitar & Vocals

Noah Hunt- Lead Vocals

Josh Smith- Guitar

Jack Pearson- Guitar

Steve Mackie- Additional Bass

Hard To Be:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Bonnie Bramlett- Lead Vocals

Jimmy Hall- Lead Vocals

Greg Morrow- Drums

Michael Rhodes- Bass

Josh Smith- Guitar

Joe Bonamassa- Baritone Guitar

Jack Pearson- Guitar

Lee Thornburg- Horns

Paulie Cerra- Horns and arrangement

Riviera Paradise

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Chris Layton- Drums

Tommy Shannon- Bass

Steve Mackie- Fretless Bass

Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Guitars, Solo 1

Joe Bonamassa- Guitars, Solo 2

Jack Pearson- Guitar

Jeff Bova Orchestrations

Take The Time:

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Greg Morrow- Drums

Michael Rhodes- Bass

Warren Haynes Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals

Joe Bonamassa- Guitar

Mahalia Barnes- Vocals

Jade MacRae- Vocals

Juanita Tippins- Vocals

So Much Trouble

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Greg Morrow- Drums

Michael Rhodes- Bass

Joe Bonamassa- Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals

Jack Pearson- Guitar

Mike Henderson- Harmonica

I’ve Got A Right To Be Blue

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Keb’ Mo’- Guitar & Lead Vocals

Soul Island

Reese Wynans- Keyboards

Lamar Carter- Drums

Travis Carlton- Bass

Josh Smith- Lead Guitar

Jack Pearson- Guitar

Paulie Cerra- Saxophone

Blackbird

Reese Wynans- Grand Piano

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