by JOHNSON CUMMINS

When Kelly Joe Phelps’s 1999 album Shine Eyed Mister Zen came out, it ushered in accolades from fans and critics alike, declaring a new acoustic guitar virtuoso in our midst. With only his old Gibson flattop and his hushed vocals, Phelps had reinvented country blues, using his slide to carve out colours, phrasings and voicings not previously heard in the genre. Although amazingly skilled, Phelps managed to capture the ear without polluting his songs with cheap pyrotechnics. Strains of Mississippi Fred McDowell, Leo Kottke and John Coltrane were indeed part of the tapestry, but it had been a long time since acoustic guitar playing had such a unique voice.

Flash forward to his new disc Slingshot Professionals and Phelps’s playing is as stealth as ever, but instead of being front and centre as on previous records, it sits back and provides a solid backbone for the song. Enter Phelps the storyteller, evoking desperate characters that are so richly painted, you almost forget about his guitar playing.

"I wanted to develop as an artist and musician," says Phelps. "I started to realize that writing lyrics and playing with words was something I was deeply interested in and it was something that I always thought was the weakest part of the musical package before. My primary motivation used to be how much music I could yank out of a guitar and now my motivation is what can I do with words that will paint a definite and drawn picture."

The lyrics would be completed first, after being edited down from short stories or character sketches he had written. Once they were buffed and shined they would then dictate the mood of the music, which would be written afterwards. Phelps has never been afraid of changing, be it his approach to songwriting, inviting accompaniment or completely changing musical styles. For example, before his recording career, Phelps was immersed in traditional and free jazz for 10 years, playing bass. Once he heard Mississippi Fred McDowell and other country blues artists of that era, his head was spun around and he was inspired to start picking on an old guitar.

"I take life as a musician one day at a time because I never know where or when the next inspiration is going to come from. I can’t afford to stand still and bank on something that is recognized as my contribution. The only way I can continue to do this for the rest of my life is by continuing to learn."

Like most musicians worth their salt, Phelps enjoys recording but his true love can be found playing live. "The audience supplies the missing ingredient that I can’t supply myself. It also provides a pressure for me to go for things that I wouldn’t normally do sitting at home. Playing live is essential for any musician to make them strive for the highest goals." :

With Zubot & Dawson at le Spectrum
on Saturday, March 8, 8pm, $20

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