REVIEW

Kay Vega OUTLAWS AND HEROES

Kay Vega doesn’t really sound country, neither Kay Petersen (60 years), the real name behind the alias does. He has lived in Berlin/Kreuzberg for 40 years. On his website Kay writes: “Which genre should I go for? In order to avoid the country trap, I decided to go for Americana: Blues, Country, Rock, Outlaw and Rock’n’Roll could be a part of it.”

The courage to send us this album for a review must be rewarded. It makes you curious and deserves a longer review. But in these times we are happy to present it briefly.

A 4-track EP (January 2020) preceded his current album, but we do not have it. Both the EP and the album OUTLAWS AND HEROES were recorded in Nashville. The list of musicians is quite impressive: Michael Klooster (Smash Mouth), Tommy Harden (drums: Ricky Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder), Pat McGrath (master of acoustic instruments: Dolly Parton), Troy Lancaster (guitar: Blake Shelton, Tracy Lawrence), James Mitchell (guitar: Willie Nelson, LoCash) and Mike Brignadello (bass: Craig Morgan, Rascal Flatts).

Kay Vega has written all twelve tracks himself, all of them really serve the above „threatened“ genres. With OUTLAWS AND HEROES he has released a remarkable album, which doesn’t bear the stamp Country but definitely Americana. His voice is pleasant and the production is absolutely professional. The songs invite you to rock, listen and sing along.

Give Nashville/Kreuzberg a chance! This is what Kay writes in his cover letter. We did it with pleasure and highly recommend to listen in.

On his website kayvega.com you can read more about him. Very well done and worth reading. His open manner makes him likeable without knowing him personally.