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KIRK
FLETCHER "SHADES OF BLUE"
Source: Popular Music and
Society Magazine
Date:
Writer : B.
Lee Cooper, Ph.D |
New
record companies rarely make waves, especially in respect
to radio air-play. Known commodities prevail. Marketing
consistency, studio band stability, artist reliability,
and touring history combine t favor established labels,
Delta Groove Productions of North Hollywood,
California is the newest kid on the blues production
and distribution block. They’re not just making
waves; they’ve launched a musical tsunami.
What makes The Mannish Boys and Kirk Fletcher so attractive
to both critics and listeners? They don’t just
play tunes. These veteran studio musicians and the rookie
guitarist foster distinctive blues sounds, Grounded
in Chicago blues, yet achieving their own West Coast
voices, the Manish boys and Kirk Fletcher muscle their
way toward…commercial authenticity. The impact
of other new faces like Michael Burks, Shemekia Copeland,
and Deborah Coleman has opened the recording gates for
new blues talent. B ut Delta Groove management and producer
Randy Chortkoff have achieved a seldom seen feat in
launching a new label with two notable new discs.
The Mannish Boys (with no apologies
to Muddy Waters) are an assembly of experienced blues-hounds
– Fins Tasby, Frank Goldwasser, Leon Blue, June
Core, and Ronnie James Weber, along with very young
Kirk Fletcher. They are joined by special guests Roy
Gianes, Johnny Dyer, Mickey Champion, Paul Oscher, and
their harp-hound producer. The musical mix is magical.
From the raucous humor of “Going Crazy Over T.V.”
and “I’m a Lover Not a Fighter” to
the soulful sound of “Blues and Trouble.”
The Boys are tight, treacherous, and terrific.
Shades of Blue is a powerful platform
to blues stardom for virtuoso guitarist Kirk
Flethcer. The instrumental marvels T_Bone Walker
and Freddie King echo in the smooth, stylistic delivery
of “Blues for Boo Boo.” The songs selected
for this disc are penned by Eddie Taylor, Willie Dizon,
B.B. King, Percy Mayfield, and other giants in the field.
Fletcher, along with friendly yet fiery vocalists Kim
Wilson, Janiva Magness, and Finis Tasby, wrestle several
traditional tunes into new, elegant patterns with rumbling
riffs and luscious, leering lyrics. New numbers like
“Club Zanzibar” and old ones like “Don’t
Go No Further”sparkle.
Two great grooves from…Delta Groove.
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