Artist: Scott Sharrard
Album: Saving Grace
Label: We Save Music
Release Date: 09.21.2018
Scott Sharrard, Gregg Allman’s long-time guitarist and musical director, pays tribute to Allman’s legacy, and the legacy of the Allman Brothers Band on Saving Grace, his fifth solo album. Sharrard doesn’t just parrot Allman Brother riffs, though, but instead pulls from some of their more soulful influences, creating an album that fluently covers, blues, rock, and soul.
It’s tempting to focus on Sharrard’s guitar playing because he’s such a great guitarist, and because it’s what one associates with the Allmans. And Sharrard’s guitar playing is impeccable. He nails a lot of the typical Allman Brother sounds, but uses them in interesting places. On “She Can’t Wait,” a funky number, he uses a solo reminiscent of the Brothers’ classic “Blue Sky.” And it works perfectly.
Sharrard’s voice is also impressive, at times sounding like Rod Stewart. However, he also has a beautiful falsetto that he deploys at various points throughout the album. One such place is “Words Can’t Say,” which is pure, authentic soul that sounds like what the Allmans might have listened to growing up.
During some of the album’s best moments, Sharrard manages to combine his guitar playing and his singing. On “Keep Me In Your Heart,” a sweet ballad, he uses his own slide guitar to duet with himself, with Sharrard singing a line and his lyrical slide responding.
Despite all of the Allman comparisons, Sharrard has his own voice. The beauty of the album, and no doubt the source of his talent as a side man, is that he knows how to selectively insert the licks and ticks of others without losing his voice as an artist. Allman Brothers/Gregg Allman fans will want to hear this album, which features Allman’s final original song, but anyone who enjoys guitar-driven rock, soul, and blues will appreciate Saving Grace.
—Steven Ovadia
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