Album Review: The Kentucky Headhunters 'On Safari'

-Tara

Long before Blackberry Smoke and Whiskey Myers melted your eardrums with their Southern country-rock stylings, there was The Kentucky Headhunters. With decades of success behind them, the Grammy award winning group released their twelfth studio album, On Safari, on November 4th. Influenced by their first ever European tour and the loss of band members Richard and Fred Young’s father three days before heading into the studio, On Safari  pays respect to the Southern way of life via a trip through honky-tonk, country, and good old rock and roll beginning with the intensely catchy groove of “Beaver Creek Mansion.”

Serious guitar riffs and a driving percussive beat pulsate through “Deep South Blues Again,” and “I Am The Hunter” where vocalist Greg Martin sings, “Worries you know I’ve had my share/I’ve known trouble that’ll curl your hair;"  while   "Caught In A Dream," with its jaunty melody, harmonies, and welcome keys will be 100% caught in your head. 

On Safari also includes "Crazy Jim," a story that overflows with soul and honest emotion; standout “Lowdown Memphis Town Blues” a place obviously near and dear to their hearts, “I never knew sorrow could sound so sweet;” the infectious and inspiring “Rainbow Shine;” and the fabulously rollicking “Jukebox Full of Blues” before closing out with the low-key, shuffling instrumental “Govenor’s Cup.”

​Filled with often reflective lyrics, passionate musicianship and a hefty dose of good time fun, On Safari is definitely worth the trip. 

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