Kyle Culkin

Shades of Trouble

Tonebucker Records

Kyle Culkin is an American musician and roots music recording artist. He has worked over the past two decades as a multi-instrumentalist and the guitarist for national  touring acts including the Jeff Jensen Band. Culkin opened for the great B.B. King on his 80th birthday tour when the King of the Blues proclaimed “This kid can play”. Culkin combines a fun and witty sense of humor with the struggles of life in every song. Culkin uses taste, tone, and timing to season his lyrics with just the right  amount of flavor. Culkin has been called “The Americana Shotgun” and this fourth studio album follows 2020’s “My Americana”; 2021’s “Pork Cops & Blues”; and 2023’s “Shotgun Ridge”. The ensemble includes Culkin, guitars and lead vocals; Jamieson Trotter, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, and Wurlitzer; Karl Hunter, saxophone; Buford T. Shagnasty, bass; and Adam Gust, drums. The backing vocalists are Jade MacRae, and Bek Jensen. All of the songs are written by Culkin unless mentioned otherwise.

The title track, “Shades of Trouble”, was written by Culkin and Kamp, with Shawn  Nourse sitting in on drums for Gust, as Culkin sings “I like to dream if I try…shades of trouble…I say shades, shades of trouble, call me crazy, I say shades of trouble”. “You’ve Been in Love Too Long” is a cover written by Clarence Paul, Ivory Joe Hunter, and William Stevenson, it was recorded by Martha and The Vandellas in 1965, as Culkin chimes “I say girl, you’ve been in love too long, you know girl you’ve been in love too long”, with the backing vocalists providing the harmony.

On “Stockton Romance” Culkin plays some fine guitar while Hunter opens with a  great sax solo, as Culkin chants “ain’t seen nothing, like I got, a Stockton romance… I say I want to lay down, ain’t seen nothin’, like I got, a Stockton romance”. “She’s Evil” was written by Culkin and Jeff Jensen as Culkin goans “I’m a long way from  home…I swear she’s evil, she played me like a fool…she’s evil, she’s the cheatin’ kind, she cast her spell, I almost lost my mind”, with some more great sax.

“Don’t Get Burned” Culkin moans “a lot of people walkin’ around trying to get one  over on me…I’m broke, I got a bed for sale, whatever you do, do it right, don’t get burned”. On “Wishing Well” Culkin belts out “I’ve been making trouble, smoking, drinking too much whiskey, taking cocaine, I’m going down your wishing well”,  with some great Hammond B-3 organ from Trotter.

On “Yes I Do”, Culkin cries “don’t know if it’s day or night, yes I do…gotta’ be  strong, yes I do…I’m still sure your my girl, yes I do”. “Alora Rose” is a fabulous instrumental with more great guitar from Culkin, and Hammond B-3 from Trotter. “Love You My Way” includes Culkin as he shouts “I don’t care what people say  as long as I can come home and watch our children play…you just make me love you my way…drinkin’ whiskey all day, you just love me my way”.

“Ophelia” written by Robbie Robertson was recorded by The Band in 1976, as Culkin chirps “Ophelia, where have you gone ?…why something that somebody said…I’m gonna’ die for ya’…Ophelia, please come back home”. “One More Good Time” was written by Culkin & Camp and features percussionist Will Phillips as Culkin shouts “I’m so grateful I just can’t wait…I pick up my guitar and sing one more song, one more good time”. On the closer, “Have A Little Faith In Me” written by John Hiatt in 1998, Culkin croons “when the road gets dark and you can no  longer see…have a little faith in me…when your heart cannot see so clearly…have  a little faith in me, when your back is against the wall, have a little faith in me”.

Carl Verheyen states “Kyle Culkin has created an album of rootsy songs that call  to mind the best of rock with a bluesy feel. It’s an impressive collection that  showcases his fine guitar playing and great voice”. “Shades of Trouble” is a highly  recommended album from Kyle Culkin.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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