If Tunesmith Retrofit is meant to be descriptive of Kelly Joe Phelps’ intents, then indeed it lives up to its title. Expanding the blues-based acoustic motif that’s been his calling card since the early ‘90s, the new album integrates some new elements into Phelps’ down-home sound. A melodica serves as instrument of choice on the affable title track, some lightening fast solo banjo steers “Scapegoat� and “Handful Of Arrows.� Three songs -- the aforementioned title track and “Scapegoat,� along with the rambling “MacDougal� -- mark his first inclusion of original instrumentals. More significantly, Phelps hones his skills as the tunesmith the title refers to, putting as strong a focus on his songwriting skills as he’s previously applied to his deft guitar play. The result is an immensely satisfying, adroitly stripped-down affair, burnished with sepia-toned, homespun sentiment. “The Anvil� and “Big Shuffle� come across as quiet shuffles while �Spanish Hands� and “Loud As Ears� are as dark and tangled as the bayou at midnight. Predominantly mellow and melancholy, these songs mostly reflect a sense of quiet yearning and desire, a sublime introspection that’s gracefully etched into every note and nuance.
Lee Zimmerman
Release date: August 1, 2006
Buy Album from CD Universe
