Kelly Joe Phelps - Sky Like a Broken Clock
|
Our Price: $11.98 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $3.79 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
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.Free Music Review: Darker and Deeper but still brilliant
Hit: 3 Stars
Star rating should be 5/5. I can't edit it. I hated this when I first got it. I thought it was depressing. But KJP, more than just about anyone else, needs an awful lot of listening to. I'd come to it after getting into the remarkable blues style of 'Shine eyed Mister Zen' and this was very different. Here we have a full band and a less extreme guitar style. It's earthier, darker, louder. but not really loud, of course. You'll get used to it!
The right elements are there: 'hard' poetry, subtle melodies, weird imagery, and that voice. What I realise, after listening to him for a couple of years, and seeing him perform on stage, is that he has an unerringly tuneful voice. Gravelly, smoky, yes, but never a bum note. His voice is superbly musical.
It took me ages to see this album properly, separate out the elements. There are definitely some classics in here, like 'Beggar's Oil', 'Tommy' and the wonderful 'Fleashine'. The band works pretty well with Kelly Joe, producing some nice gritty blues as well as more gentle sounds. But they leave the master guitarist to accompany himself alone for the final track, a whimsical tune for a change.
If you buy this, and I think you should, you'll just have to put the work in. But Kelly Joe Phelps remains one of the most important artists around with this album.
Free Music Review: lush, sensitive and complex... by far his best.
Hit: 5 Stars
A friend had played me "Shine Eyed" in preparation for a recent show I attended... It was my first taste of Kelly Joe's stuff and I liked it, some nice slide work and warm bluesy voice, but I wasn't floored. "Sky Like a Broken Clock" seems to display a real maturity in his music, expanding beyond his indivdual strengths and allowing other musicians to evolve his already powerful sound. it's been spinning in my CD player everyday for the last 2 weeks... really enchanting.Oh, and don't miss him live... quite a MoFo on guitar...
Free Music Review: Not His Best Work!
Hit: 4 Stars
As expected, Kelly Joe Phelps story telling and guitar work are outstanding although very low keyed and somber. The only tune on the CD to break the mold and pick up the tempo somewhat is "Sally Ruby" ... While I don't think it measures up to the last release, "Shine Eyed", it is a solid acoustic outing with a little string bass, cello, organ and harmonica sprinkled about for good measure. Best suited for quite moments.Free Music Review: His best yet...
Hit: 4 Stars
It's always great to hear a superlative musician play by himself. You know what's even better? Hearing the same musician play with other equally gifted brothers-arms. That's exactly what we get on "Sky Like a Broken Clock". Phelps is easily one of the most talented and creative guitarists alive and one of the most vital artists working in American Roots music today. Long-time fans will instantly lament the abscence of Phelps spellbinding slide work. He makes up for it with startlingly complex fingerpicking that probably makes Johny Fahey's ears perk up somewhere in The Great Beyond. The really interesting thing about this album, though, is hearing Phelps as part of a band. Larry Taylor is a string bassist who has worked extensively with Tom Waits. He's a bassist who has a really recognizable, muscular-yet-melodic style. Listening to him and Phelps playing off of each other is one of the big music thrills of this year. Billy Conway adds subtley complex percussion. I think what has some people speaking out against Phelps' "new direction" is the fact that he really is part of an ensemble. That is true, each instrument get's equal treatment in the mix and arrangement, but it sounds fine to me. These guys sound like they were born to play together. There also no Trad. Arr. Phelps tunes... or covers of any kind. Everything is original. Comes as no surprise to this reviewer. I was amazed at how well his plain-spoken originals blended with the traditional material on "Shine Eyed Mister Zen". I'm glad to see he's gained enough confidence and chops as a songwriter to pen a whole album. This year has spoiled us with some great releases: Gillian Welch, Bonnie Prince Billie, The "O, Brother" albums... "Sky Like a Broken Clock" is foremost among these. Brilliant music.