Lester Winchester McKendree: "They Got It All" (2026) CD Review

They Got It All is the debut full-length album from Lester Winchester McKendree, the trio of Jimmy Lester on drums, Mark W. Winchester on bass and vocals, and Kevin McKendree on keyboards. All three are accomplished, talented musicians whom you've likely heard. You probably know Jimmy Lester from his work in Los Straitjackets and with Billy Joe Shaver, and you know Mark W. Winchester from The Planet Rockers and Brian Setzer Orchestra, and you know Kevin McKendree from his work with Delbert McClinton and Tinsley Ellis. These three musicians have known each other for a long time, and have played together mostly in their home town of Nashville. The album features original material, including a couple of instrumental numbers.

The album opens with "I'm No Amateur," a song with a catchy element, particularly in its vocal line, and a timeless quality, which is incredibly appealing. "Don't be surprised by the look in my eyes/Every faked emotion will ring so true/I'm no amateur." And soon they dig in, as they repeat "I'm going to make you smile." And, true to their word, this song will likely make any listener smile. There is a good vibe to this song, and I love the work on keys, especially following that repeated line. It's a great choice to start the album. The energy then picks up on "Delaney And The Ditch," which has an early rock and roll thing happening, and moves at a good pace. That bass is so damn good, and I am especially loving the drumming on this track. This one is a whole lot of fun, with Kevin rocking the keys, particularly in the middle of the track. There is also a section of vocals and drums, something that I always find appealing. Remember when rock and pop songs routinely included sections like that? Those were good times, and this track promises that good times are returning.

From the moment "They Got It All" starts, it has a cool vibe, a sound and rhythm that immediately affects you. This song has it all, everything you love about a rock song. Hell, it even includes cowbell. This is a gem, a delightful number with such a catchy groove. "I got suspected, I got teased/I got hurried, I got squeezed/I got inspected like a bug/I scurried under the rug/They got it all, they got it all wrong about me." Doesn't this sound like a hit to you? It's difficult to imagine anyone not loving this song. That's followed by "Surf The Allman Ballroom," a delicious little jam. This instrumental track will have you moving and shaking and feeling good. Whatever concerns and cares might be occupying your thoughts will slip away before this track is halfway over. Two minutes in, it seems to be concluding, but then takes a turn, a breath, before kicking in again with a wonderful energy for the song's finish.

"Down The Same Street" has a strong, straightforward rhythm. Mark sings, "I see my baby walking down the street/I hope my baby's coming back to me/Back to me, back to me." Ah, if this music has anything to say about it, then she'll be coming back. That solid beat will match her steps, and soon they'll be walking together. At least, that's my expectation. After all, who would want to stray too far from music like this? But damn, I'm wrong, for soon he sings, "I'll have to move from this neighborhood/Now no one here will ever treat me good." The trio then gets into serious rock and roll territory with "Baby's Carburetor," with some fantastic stuff on keys (think of Jerry Lee Lewis, that sort of thing, that sort of energy). "I want a girl with a fuel injection/When I start her up, there won't be no objection." Perfect! This is so much fun, and I don't think I would trust anyone who didn't enjoy it. These guys fit a lot of rocking into two minutes. Less than two minutes, actually. It's the shortest track on the album.

"Bad Mantras" had me laughing pretty quickly. I should have expected it would happen from the title. Check out these first several lines: "Don't have any luck/Bad mantra/Everything's fucked/Bad mantra/Listen up, a bad mantra will do you in/Always gotta think twice/Bad mantra/'Cause this world ain't nice/Bad mantra." I suppose we all have them these days, things we find ourselves repeating, negative things. "Everything's fucked" is certainly one of them. So, yeah, while this song had me laughing, it then got me thinking and evaluating my own reactions to the state of things, and how repeating something negative might be having a negative impact on my own state. "I might as well give up/Bad mantra/It's a half-empty cup/Bad mantra." This ended up being one of my favorite tracks. It's followed by "Dylan Ain't Spillin'," kind of an odd number, with its own special appeal, an undeniably endearing quality. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "Folks in Madrid don't eat, I heard/Until ten o' clock at night/The King got tired of the movie set/The Beatles got tired of the throngs." Another line that stands out to me: "Even Gandhi got tired of being poor, I bet."

"The Right Pose" is a slower number, more introspective and contemplative, with a cool, bluesy vibe, and featuring some really good vocal work. "I guess sometimes I strike the right pose/I wear the right smile and the right clothes/Once in a while, it's the right words that I chose to say." The album concludes with another interesting track, "Along With The Sunshine," an instrumental piece that has its own unexpected beauty. This one can take you on a journey inward or outward, depending on your mood, on what you need. There is a hopeful, optimistic tone as it progresses. Ah yes, perhaps we'll all emerge from the darkness into a brighter, more sane world. You can feel it happening as you listen, can't you?

CD Track List

1. I'm No Amateur
2. Delaney And The Ditch
3. They Got It All
4. Surf The Allman Ballroom
5. Down The Same Street
6. Baby's Carburetor
7. Bad Mantras
8. Dylan Ain't Spillin'
9. The Right Pose
10. Along With The Sunshine

They Got It All is scheduled to be released on May 29, 2026 on Times Three Records.