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?