 |
|
 |
KIRK
FLETCHER "SHADES OF BLUE"
Source: 80's Music Mall
Date:
Writer : (various) |
Top
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Great Things In Store For
This Guitarist!
Comment: This is a very talented young
man who has a great future ahead of him. It's hard to
believe he's only in his twenties.
You can hear the influence of B.B. King in his playing
and the liner notes confirm that B.B. was and is an
inspiration. Make no mistake, this is no mere copycat.
Kirk has learned from the masters - including Elmore
James (check out "Worried Man Blues") - but
he is definitely his own man.
The album is titled "Shades of Blue" and these
shades range from songs written by Jimmy Dawkins, Jr.
Wells and Magic Sam, to Percy Mayfield. However, These
are not the usual covers. Someone certainly gave these
choices some thought. There are also a couple of originals
showing additional talent as a songwriter. On "Blues
for Boo Boo" (his daughter - and I'd love to hear
the story behind that nickname) we get a hint that he
may also have some jazz in his repertoire. That hint
shows up again in "Hip Hug Her".
The vocals are shared by Kim Wilson, along with his
oh-so-fine harp, Janiva Magness and Finis Tasby and
they give Kirk plenty of room to show his stuff. I particularly
enjoyed the vocals of Finis Tasby whose voice and style
seem to mesh especially well with Kirk's. I would have
liked to have heard a couple more intrumentals. Maybe
next time. Meanwhile, I highly recommend this CD and
I hope there is more to come soon. Am I raving? Yes
I am!
One last note to Riley: Your blues are in good hands!
Rating:
5 (out of 5)
Summary: The blues lives on
Comment: In a world infatuated with
hip hop, young African-American blues guitarists are
a rare commodity. Rarer yet are those whose touch,
tone, and vibe recall such Chicago blues greats as
Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, and Otis Rush in their youth.
Meet Kirk Fletcher: Still in his '20s, he plays with
the conviction and authority of a seasoned vet, yet
burns with a young man's fire. Fletcher favors toothy
Strat tones, stinging bends, and flurries of tight,
staccato riffs that seem to pop from his fretboard
like little firecrackers. His touch is supple and
his fingering fluid, yet his phrases never sound slick
or contrived. Fletcher and his no-B.S. band cover
blues classics by B.B. King, Willie Dixon, and Magic
Sam; toss in some R&B (including Percy Mayfield's
"The River's Invitation" and a funky take
on Booker T. & the MG's "Hip Hug Her");
and cap things off with modern offerings from the
likes of the Fabulous Thunderbirds' Kim Wilson. Fresh,
vital blues.
Rating:
5 (out of 5)
Summary: A real talent to watch
Comment: Every now and when someone
is able to emerge from the crowd of very good blues
musicians out there and demonstrate that he has something
special that distinguishes himself. I think that this
is exactly the case of Kirk Fletcher. This album is
a real gem that shouldn't be missed by any serious
blues fan. With the help of veterans like Kim Wilson,
Finis Tasby and Janiva Magness sharing vocal duties
and the support of a fantastic band Mr. Fletcher delivers
17 strong blues songs that deserve to be listened.
His guitar work is outstanding in every track and,
even though very close to the style of the great players
of the past, he brings something new into the mix.
Fantastic tone control and fluid phrasing are, from
my point of view, his main assets that together with
is innovative way in creating music progression, make
his sound fairly unique and very personal. Not a bad
tune to be spotted, this is the classic CD that you
would listen from start to finish and when it is over,
well... you will play it again |
|
