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KIRK
FLETCHER "SHADES OF BLUE"
Source: Blues Bytes
Date: 2004
Writer : Steve
Hinrichsen |
The
second CD review I ever wrote in my life was for
a great record entitled I’m Here and I’m
Gone, by a then 23-year-old guitarist from Compton,
California named Kirk Fletcher (Blues Bytes Sept.’99).
At the time I wrote that review, I called Mr.
Fletcher “one of the most brilliant guitarists
to come on the blues scene in quite some time.”
My opinion of this intensely original player has
not changed. In fact, it has only grown in tremendous
leaps and bounds in the four years that I had
to be satisfied with just watching him perform
in Kim Wilson’s Blues Revue, Charlie Musselwhite’s
band, The Janiva Magness Band, and with a few
other artists in various Los Angeles blues venues,
while anxiously awaiting the release of what is
only his second album, Shades Of Blue (Delta Groove).
Now at the ripe old age of 27, Kirk Fletcher leaves
no doubt, he is one of the masters of contemporary
blues guitar and is on the road to probably being
one of the best of all time. Pretty big statement
to make, I know, but one listen to the 17 numbers
contained within and I think you’ll agree.
Kirk is one of those 'oh so rare' guitarists that
blends every element --- speed, chording, melody,
structure --- along with pristine phrasing and
the slightest hint of downright hard edged flash,
flawlessly into a style that is cutting edge.
This gentleman has few peers and if comparisons
must be made ... combine T-Bone Walker with B.B.
King, mix in Jimmy Dawkins and throw a pair of
Alberts, Collins and King, into the mix, and you
have the explosive, original, unmatched essence
that is Kirk Fletcher. Backing him up is an all
star band that is comprised of the piano and B3
majesty of ‘Brother’ Red Young, former
Nightcat and current Fabulous T-Bird Ronnie James
Weber is on board on bass for the bulk of the
album, with Jeff Turmes sitting in for three tracks.
Drum duties fall to veteran shuffler Richard Innes
for nine cuts, with Kenny Sara keeping time on
the other five. Fletcher does not sing at all,
so the vocals are split between three tremendously
talented voices: Kim Wilson (who also adds his
harp) for five numbers, the sassy and emotion
filled stylings of the lovely Janiva Magness for
three tunes, and the gritty shout of Finis Tasby
for four cuts. The styles of these 17 tunes are
steeped deeply in the blues of the ‘50s
and ‘60s without sounding retro-ish or dated,
but with a highly modern and up to date polish.
But let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?
The grooving original instrumental, “Blues
For Boo Boo,” opens the show with Kirk strolling
melodically through the fretboard before tweaking
off a pair of stinging solos on this tune that
is dedicated to his little girl Elaysia. A cooking
cover of Eddie Taylor’s “Bad Boy”
swings to the harp phrasings and vocals of Kim
Wilson, with Fletcher plucking out a brain bending
solo that will have you pulling your jaw off your
chest. Get used to doing that, because this young
man makes a habit of doing this all over this
album. A hip shaking version of “Little
By Little” features the commanding vocals
of Janiva Magness and the flammable organ of Red
Young blending together with Fletcher for a bouncing
workout. A cover of B.B. King’s “Country
Girl” will shake you to your very soul via
Kirk’s fiery soloing and Wilson’s
throaty vocals and gutsy harp licks. Finis Tasby
belts out a masterful take on Jimmy Dawkins’
“Welfare Blues,” a tune that is disarming
in the fact that gently lulls you with its easy
rhythms and 'smooth as glass' production, while
exploding at the same time. Willie Dixon’s
“Don’t Go No Further” swings
and sways under the skillful guidance of Janiva
Magness’ 'twinkle in the eye' vocals and
a string-breaking solo from Kirk. The only other
original, “Club Zanzibar,” a blistering
instrumental on which Fletcher and Wilson let
it all hang out for three and a half frantic minutes,
is planted right in the middle of this treat of
a record. Finis Tasby steps up to the plate again
and tears things loose with a volcanic version
of “Down Home Woman,” before pulling
back on the reins for a lovely rendition of Percy
Mayfield’s “The River’s Invitation,”
and also contributes his own high energy “Worried
Man’s Blues.” I’m undecided
as to whose performance is harder hitting on a
cover of Magic Sam’s “That’s
Why I’m Cryin” --- Janiva Magness’
or Kirk Fletcher’s. The raw heartfelt emotion
that pours forth from Ms. Magness’ vocals
will undoubtedly tug a heart string or two, while
Fletcher’s piercing phrases will turn your
senses inside out. Magness turned in a great cover
of this tune on her own album, Use What You Got,
earlier this year but somehow manages to outdo
herself with this one. A bit of juke joint funk
is laced throughout the smoky grind of Don Robey’s
“Stranded,” before wrapping things
up with a spiffy rendering of Booker T & The
MGs “Hip Hug Her” that allows Red
Young to strut his stuff to the absolute fullest.
A big hats off is in order to Randy Chortoff,
who produced this magnificent work (and is, in
his own right, a pretty damned hot harp player)
and Joe Bellamy, who engineered and mixed. Between
the two of them, they have turned out a future
classic that is absolutely gorgeous to listen
to and bursting with incredible performances.
I once said that Kirk Fletcher's star will burn
brightly for years to come in the blues community.
With Shades of Blue, that star has reached super
nova status. Whether he is playing simple fills
or scorching leads, Kirk Fletchers music shoots
from the very depths of his soul and transfers
into pure blues magic, exuding a musical presence
and sense of commanding fun to every note. They
say the true masters, the Kings, Collinses, Walkers
and Vaughns only come along once; the same will
be said about Kirk Fletcher. It’s been my
pleasure to have a front row seat to the evolution
of this extraordinary musician, and can highly
recommend that you get your hands on a copy of
Shades Of Blue and find out for yourself. |
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