When reviewers heard teen-aged
Jonny Lang's debut album of 1997, Lie to Me, many of them commented on how mature the
blues singer/guitarist sounded for his age. Similarly,
Lang's second album, Wander This World, often sounds like it could have been the work of a man of 30. With
David Z. (known for his work with
Prince) producing, the Midwesterner delivers an exciting sophomore effort that has as much to do with
soul,
funk, and rock as it does with actual
blues. Far from a purist,
Lang takes an approach that is best described as
Albert Collins,
B.B. King, and
Luther Allison by way of
Otis Redding, Stax Records, and
Eric Clapton. While "Angel of Mercy" and the moody "Cherry Red Wine" demonstrate his mastery of the 12-bar format, most of the other selections aren't actual 12-bar blues, but rather Southern-style
soul,
funk, or rock with a wealth of
blues feeling. Lovers of 1960s
memphis soul should appreciate "Walking Away" and "Second Guessing," while "The Levee" and "Still Rainin'" have more of a rock orientation. The haunting title song finds
Lang singing a little
too convincingly about loneliness -- even though
Lang himself didn't actually write the lyrics -- hearing an adolescent sounding so world-weary and isolated is rather disconcerting. There's nothing even remotely
bubblegum about this excellent CD, which proves that
Lang's supporters had every right to be enthusiastic. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
