Kent Burnside Hill Country Blood

July 11, 2025

Kent Burnside

Hill Country Blood

Strolling Bones Records

Kent Burnside is the grandson of Hill Country legend R.L. Burnside. He was encouraged by his grandfather to develop a performing style of his own. Kent mixes his native Mississippi Hill Country Blues with Delta and Chicago Blues styles, as well as blues-rock and funk. Kent’s friendly personal style has allowed him to forge a career of his own after first cutting his teeth as a guitarist in Jimbo Mathus’ post-Squirrel Nut Zippers band for the better part of 2005 and 2006. Kent also played a five-week stint as the opening act for Hall of Famer, Buddy Guy. That led to numerous appearances by Kent at Buddy Guy’s Legends. He has spent almost twenty years fronting his own band performing at some of the best-known blues clubs and festivals. This new album of mostly original songs was recorded at Royal Studios, the legendary Memphis studio where Al Green, Ann Peebles, and O.V. Wright recorded their 1960’s and 70’s classics. The recording was produced, recorded, and mixed by Grammy-winning producer Boo Mitchell, son of Hi-Records legendary Grammy winning producer Willie Mitchell. Included are eight Kent Burnside originals and two selected covers. The ensemble includes Kent, guitar and vocals; his uncle Garry Burnside, on bass; long-time drummer, Jake Best; and Damian Pearson, who adds harp on four tracks.

The songs are emotively sung by Kent as many are autobiographical. Kent opens with “Daddy Told Me” as he sings “then he told me…when I was eight years old…look at me now, look at me”. On the funky title track “Hill Country Blood” Kent moans “I know walkin’ a dirt road, my grandfather is by me…I know where I came from…I can feel the love, I know where I came from”.

“Crawling King Snake” is a cover of a John Lee Hooker classic as Kent chants “Crawling king snake, crawling for your love…let me have all your love…whatever suits you through”. On “I Heard” Kent chimes

“what I heard, calling me back, I heard you callin’ my name, leave me alone, leave me alone…there’s nobody home…leave me alone”. On “I Go Crazy”, Kent groans “I go crazy babe, if you take your love away from me”. On the poignant “One More Chance” Kent cries “ain’t nothin’ in the world I wouldn’t do for you…come back, give me one more chance baby…I didn’t realize what I had until you were gone, give me one more chance baby”.

“Rob And Steal” Kent bursts “I’d rob and steal for your love, I think I’m goin’ to lose my fair mind, I can do it all the time, rob and steal for your love”. On “I Can Feel It” Kent belts out “I can feel it, it’s the real thing, I can feel it, it’s not a one-night stand, it’s the real thing, why don’t you put aside your foolish pride, I can feel it, it’s not a one-night stand, your the one for me”.

“You Better Run” is a cover of a Junior Kimbrough song as Kent shouts “you better run, don’t let me choose, if I getcha’ babe…I say sure that in the night…you better run, don’t let me choose…I’m gonna’ getcha’ girl”. On the closer, “I Miss You”, Kent croons “I miss you when you go away…everyday time goes by…I’m cryin’ since you stepped out that door…I miss you, we miss you, oh lord, now that you’ve gone away”.

Kent is now with Road Dawg Touring. Keep your eyes and ears open for more great new music from Kent Burnside.

Richard Ludmerer