review of album:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/e...t/15198101.htm

Kelly Joe Phelps
Tunesmith Retrofit
(Rounder **1/2)

The Portland, Ore., guitarist, who made such an indelible mark with his early blues records, continues to evolve. Here he falls into the Richard Thompson syndrome, forsaking his considerable six-string chops to emphasize songwriting.

Tunesmith Retrofit finds him in a more artistic, folkie mood. Even the best tracks such as "Spanish Hands" and "Big Shaky," while smart and soothing, are also rather bland. An artist like Phelps has every right to reinvent himself. But why would you leave the fertile Mississippi Delta to sound more like Gordon Lightfoot?
- D. H.

LISTEN AT:
http://www.kellyjoephelps.net/store/index.htm

does he sound like Lightfoot?

No, but he's a good guitar picker.. :)

KJP was just here a few months ago and while I loved his concert, I certainly don't recall him sounding at all like Lightfoot

I don't think the "critic" meant so much that he literally sounds like Lighfoot, but meant it more of a dig that KJP has reinvented himself into something, as he put it, "bland". I take it that he is not a fan of folk music and Gordon Lightfoot was the first name he could think of in that genre.

Obviously this guy is ignorant of Gord's genius.

Wow. This guy is a great guitar picker! Very talented. And he's got a pleasant voice, but doesn't sound anything like Gord.