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KIRK
FLETCHER "SHADES OF BLUE"
Source: Bandit Blues Radio
Date: 04/2005
Writer: |
Guitarist
Kirk "Eli" Fletcher is, ironically, a rare
presence on today's blues scene: a 20-something African
- American man who has thoroughly immersed himself in
the classic blues sounds of the 1950s and '60s. Son
of a Baptist minister, Kirk's introduction to the blues
came as a teenager, through his older brother's copy
of B.B. King's "Live At the Regal", and he
hasn't looked back since. In Kirk's relatively short
time playing music, he's made some big waves and impressed
a lot of the right people. Coming up through the ranks
of the West Coast blues scene, he's spent valuable time
with Al Blake (former front man of the legendary Hollywood
Fats Band), Richard "Lynwood Slim" Duran,
and Junior Watson, among others. Eventually he was hand-picked
for Kim Wilson's Blues Revue, the modern day equivalent
of joining, say, Muddy Waters' band in the 1950s. From
there he was recruited for veteran harp man Charlie
Musselwhite's band, and not long afterwards, with help
from Wilson, Blake and Duran among others, he recorded
his first CD, for England's JSP label. While continuing
to work as one of the most sought after 'hired hands'
on the West Coast blues scene, he began an association
with blues producer and promoter Randy Chortkoff, which
resulted in Kirk's most recent solo CD, "Shades
Of Blue". On that project Kirk was supported by
some the hottest and most experienced West Coast blues
veterans, among them vocalist Finis Tasby, laying the
groundwork for The Mannish Boys. |
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