Western Bell, the new record from Kelly Joe Phelps, was released last week and i was pleasantly surprised at this latest offering. it is a different kind of front porch music than i expected; more like listening to him noodling around on his guitar than a collection of songs. not much for beginnings middles and ends, and Hattie’s Hat is just about as country blues as Western Bell gets. it’s closer to KJP’s jazz roots than to the stomp box and gin bottle slide flavour of his early work, and probably more string-virtuoso in a Bill Frisell way than anything else. i do miss the strength and wisdom of his smoky vocals but don’t get me wrong; none of this is a criticism. Western Bell is full of lovely sounds and easy feel..
DOWNLOAD Kelly Joe Phelps ~ Hattie’s Hat
VISIT kellyjoephelps.com/
BUY Western Bell direct from KJP’s online store.
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