Kelly Joe Phelps - Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind (2004)

► Get the album at the usual place...

Golden fingers and tortured soul

The late Kelly Joe Phelps disappeared last may 2022 after being affected for several years by a nerve disorder in his right arm, called "ulnar neuropathy", resulting in partial or total incapacity to use his right hand and preventing him to play. Of all, this rare disease had to fall on him, one of the most brilliant acoustic guitar players ! Did this tortured man commit suicide ? The rumor has circulated since the public announce of his death didn't mention any precise cause.

He left behind him a dozen great albums since his debut recording in 1995 ("Lead me on", posted here on BD in September 2019). "Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind" is his sixth solo release and features nine live performances recorded in 2004 in Berkeley and Santa Monica : two covers (Skip James' "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues" and Rev. Gary Davis' "I Am The Light Of The World") and seven originals. As usual with KJP, his originals sound as good and natural as the covers.

His long version of "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues" is a very personal one but at the same time totally respecting the spirit of Skip James' original. During nine and a half minutes, he explores all the vocal and musical possibilities of the song. He keeps the same approach on his cover of Rev. Gary Davis' "I Am The Light Of The World".

KJP was an introverted man, with a tormented soul and a mystical heart. His poignant voice and the amazing crystal clear fluidity of his finger-style guitar technique exhales a sorrowful feeling of underlying despair in each of the nine songs. "Jericho" is a good example of this. The control of his fingers on the strings is at such a high level that one forgets about it, which is the mark of an outstanding instrumentist. Such technical mastery offers him full freedom to concentrate on the vocals with a lightly husky voice carrying a deep feeling of sadness.

Halfway between blues and folk, with a strong like for gospel, KJP's originals count some highlights like "Gold Tooth" or "Tommy", proving he is also a very gifted lyricist.

When applause are heard between songs, you just want to clap your hands too. This guy could have sung a cooking recipe, a technical notice or the phone book and still sound great ! ■

The announce of KJP's death by friend and producer Steve Dawson on Facebook.

The album's lyrics
● https://american-music.forum-actif.eu/t646-tap-the-red-cane-whirlwind-2005-paroles

Live videos
● Links to live videos of KJP were already presented on this other page. Here are some more.

● Blue Owl's Nest, Bridgetown (Australia), 2013 : https://youtu.be/KObhiK6j4B0

● "Harvest Time Blues", 2013 : https://youtu.be/It5LtnKD5dM

● "Hope In The Lord to Provide", St Cloud (Minnesota), 2013 : https://youtu.be/hNh3oO-2Avw

● "Sometimes A Drifter", London, 2013 : https://youtu.be/avWNTLZEpfg

● With Corinne West, Fiddler's Green, 2012 : https://youtu.be/CRnqFUstCog

● "Hard Time They Never Go Away", Freight & Salvage, Berkeley (California), 2012 : https://youtu.be/bEImPb8QxSk

● "Let The Water Roll", Traverse City (Michigan), 2012 : https://youtu.be/rLcoDD0-L2k

● "Talkin' to Jehovah", Boyne City (Michigan), 2012 : https://youtu.be/F0kwK4EAP5Q

● Recording sessions for the album "Brother Sinner and The Whale" (released in August 2012), Vancouver, 2012 :

→ "The Holy Spirit Flood" : https://youtu.be/ENXCqcq408g

→ "Pilgrim's Reach" : https://youtu.be/I2WLo-KcxjY

→ "Down To The Praying Ground" : https://youtu.be/ZffuRpoXn7U

● Cedar City (Utah), 2012 :

→ "Goodnight Irene" : https://youtu.be/WHd2h4eXw1k

→ "Crow's Nest" : https://youtu.be/7aN0g9ZFtEA

→ "Spit Me Outta The Whale" : https://youtu.be/DGj4wK1RkUQ

→ "Hope In The Lord To Provide" : https://youtu.be/w1XQ7AaJZug

● "Hell Hound on My Trail" with Erin McKeowin (violin), Ann Arbor (Michigan), 2012 : https://youtu.be/Rf2lzOYhPHc

● "Not so far to go", 2011 : https://youtu.be/NMriOc9VXgo

● "Angel" with Corinne West, Holland, 2010 : https://youtu.be/jpU3dKnQpL4

● Dublin (Ireland), 2009 :

→ #1 : https://youtu.be/SUX-TDxEo28

→ #2 : https://youtu.be/dK9hhe4TA0Y

● "Country Blues", Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, 2009 : https://youtu.be/7aSCeN01BFA

● Funny video from 2009 : https://youtu.be/cmQ8KcuD4Wg

● Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, 2008 :

→ "Tight to the Jar" : https://youtu.be/dxkG0LCN37o

→ "Plumb Line" : https://youtu.be/5NH-0GtqpYg

● "Goodnight Irene", Paris (France), 2006 : https://youtu.be/BTvIAxS5-nc

● With Steve Dawson and Jesse Zubot, Little Fox Theatre, Redwood City (California), 2003 : https://youtu.be/xQ_vas2ISgc

● Jamming with guitar master Bert Jansch, 2000 : https://youtu.be/1LyN79L00lQ

● Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, 1999 : https://youtu.be/T_t-zl5zFVY

Kelly Joe Phelps, 1959-2022