Sky Like a Broken Clock

Kelly Joe Phelps - Sky Like a Broken Clock

Sky Like a Broken Clock
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Music CD Cover

Artist: Kelly Joe Phelps
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2001-07-10
Music Label: Rykodisc
Soundtracks:
  1. Taylor John
  2. Clementine
  3. Sally Ruby
  4. Beggar's Oil
  5. Flash Cards
  6. Gold Tooth
  7. Tommy
  8. Fleashine
  9. Mr. My Go
  10. Worn Out

Free Music Notes for Sky Like a Broken Clock

Free Music Review: WOW....
Hit: 5 Stars

"Shine eyed Mister Zen" would be a tough act to follow. But KJP has done so with the stunning "Sky Like A broken Clock". By adding veteran musicians Billy Conway (Drums) and Larry Taylor (Bass) Phelps has added a Texture and "Feel" to his songs. Gone is the Frantic Slide Guitar that runs through out his earlier work, it's is replaced by a perfectly paced finger picking style that is defenitly all Kelly Joe. The liner notes tell you that the Disc was made in just a few days. Some of my all time favorite Disc were made in the same way. Van Morrisons "Astial Weeks", and John Hiatts "Bring the family" comes to mind, and I have to put "Sky" right up there with those works. I know that's high praise, but for such a Great album to be made in such a short period of time, something special has to happen. It's obvious that's what happened here. Another 1st on the disc, is that all 10 songs were written by KJP. No covers of tradional Blues tunes as in his past works. On his Last CD "ZEN" he took a giant leap forward in his songwritting, and continued down the same path on this CD. Songs like "Sally Ruby" and "Gold tooth" with there Funky groves and abstract lyrics are just plain fun to listen to. "Tommy" a song about a troubled soul, who torches his apratment complex, Is great story telling. On the final trac "Worn out" Phelps Inks heartfelt and painful lyrics:"Is my own version of a terrifying leap across, an unforgiving landcape when all I want is sleep", deals with the everyday fears and weekness that we all have to confront, and try to overcome. That song, more then any shows Phelps growth as a songwritter, which leaves all waiting, with baited breath for what's to come.

Sky Like a Broken Clock Poster

Since 1994, when he made his debut with Lead Me On, Kelly Joe Phelps has reinvented the slide guitar to his own specifications. This isn't to shortchange his superb, smoky voice or distinctive tunecraft. Still, it was his way with a steel bar and an open-D tuning that made his listeners sit up and take notice, along with his tendency to function as a one-man band. So his considerable following may be distressed to learn that on Sky Like a Broken Clock, Phelps has not only forsaken his solo format but ditched the slide entirely. Has the bluesy bard of Vancouver, Washington, gone commercial on us? Not in the least. The band--Larry Taylor on upright bass and Morphine's Billy Conway on drums--is agile and eccentric enough to follow the leader every step of the way. Phelps compensates for the absent slide with some elegant fingerpicking, particularly on such pentatonic beauties as "Beggar's Oil" and "Worn Out," which suggest a less mordant, Americanized version of Richard Thompson. And his singing has grown looser, whether he's slipping in and out of his falsetto on the funky "Sally Ruby" or commemorating a lost soul in "Tommy." A little more textural variety might have been welcome: the ensemble settles into one melancholic groove after another, and the dabs of organ and cello don't really change matters. For the most part, though, this is exquisite, surprising stuff--and if Phelps's melisma gets any smoother, he may be able to retire the slide for good. --James Marcus

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