Kelly Joe Phelps
Tunesmith Retrofit
Rounder – 3249
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Kelly Joe Phelps does not rest on his laurels, but is constantly searching for new ground to explore. This man who started his recording career being know as a guitar wizard, who seemed heavily influenced by both improvisational jazz and the blues has shifted focus from songs driven by his guitar wizardry to songs where the lyric drives the song. This doesn’t mean he has hung up his guitar and you are going to hear blandness, rather the song is the focus and his guitar acumen supports his lyrics, rest assured it is still there. His debut on Rounder just illustrates sides of Mr. Phelps that he seemingly did not display to full advantage on prior discs. His
instrumental breaks are shorter, but just as amazing, and here he reaches further and displays his banjo prowess, and on the title cut the he plays the melodica. This is a superb first step in a new direction that opens many unexplored venues to his exploits.