 |
|
 |
KIRK
FLETCHER "SHADES OF BLUE"
Source: Play Blues Guitar.com
Date: 06/2005
Writer : Dan
Trink |
You’ve
got to hand it to the West Coast. From the late Hollywood
Fats to Junior Watson to Nick Curran, the left coast
scene has produced some of the most exciting guitar-driven
blues of recent times. Prepare to add one more name
to this vaunted group: Kirk Fletcher.
On his latest release, Shades of Blue,
he delivers exactly what most blues fans are looking
for in a modern blues album - respect for the past with
a foot in the future. The story goes that Fletcher got
hooked on the blues by repeatedly listening to a copy
of B.B. King’s Live At The Regal,
and it’s clear that he has mastered many of the
licks and sonic booms of the blues heyday. To put it
simply, the kid can flat out play.
Fletcher mixes up guitar styles rather well and is not
afraid to let his influences show. Whether playing a
jazzy instrumental in the style of Duke Robillard (“Blues
for Boo Boo”, “Club Zanzibar”) or
old-school T-Bone Walker licks, you can tell that he
has studied and lifted from the best. On several tracks
he employs a tactic that would prove smart for any young
bluesman: If given the chance, work with Kim Wilson.
The blues veteran’s incredible harp playing adds
real guts to these tracks, and his lived-in vocals are
the perfect complement to Fletcher’s guitar. Several
other artists contribute vocals as well, including Finis
Tasby who channels the vocal tone of a young B.B. King
on his four appearances.
The standout tracks are too numerous to mention,
but the real highlight is the young guitar slinger’s
take on a reworking of “Worried Man Blues.”
He borrows Elmore James’ famous “Dust My
Broom” riff and tone and makes the tune absolutely
soar. I dare you too keep your ass in your seat when
this track cues up on the disk.
Kirk Fletcher is a real beacon of hope for those of
us looking for the next great blues guitar player. And
this album, along with several others from the Golden
State, just goes to prove that you can play the blues
in the land of Manifest Destiny. |
|
|
