KELLY JOE PHELPS with LYNN HANSON at Hugh’s Room, Friday, June 1. Rating: NNNN
Vancouver, Washington-based blues guitarist and songwriter Kelly Joe Phelps let his guitar carry most of the banter Friday night, which lent the evening a rare focus, as audience members leaned in and listened closely over Hugh’s Rooms’ little kitchen noises.
Though he seemed to be in shy mood, he was a pleasure to listen to, frequently exploring detours and false endings, and managing to sound like he wasn’t sure what note he was going to land on next either – his idea of a joke, perhaps, but it always sounded right.
Phelps has a unique approach to guitar playing, alternating between acoustic and resonator guitars and seamlessly incorporating his jazz background with finger picking and bluesy slide guitar parts – a perfect accompaniment to the rainy weather.
He was previewing material from his upcoming ninth album, gospel-influenced Brother Sinner And The Whale, so the lyrics tended towards spiritual themes of struggle, redemption and mercy. He also played some blues songs and traditionals, which fit well with his new songs: he covered Motherless Children and Hellhound On My Trail, and came out for a brief encore with a beautiful version of the hymn Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah.
Phelps’ guitar playing might outshine his voice reputation-wise (his previous release, 2009’s Western Bell was instrumental) but his unaffected, trebly yet rich vocals worked in complementary tandem with his guitar parts, making for an earthy approach.
Opener Lynne Hanson‘s songs sounded a little too southern for someone from Ottawa, but she’s obviously a Kelly Joe Phelps fan: she mentioned that she’s been using his instructional DVD at home. Too bad he didn’t have any for sale.
