Now Playing: ‘Where And When’ by Kelly’s Lot

in #music3 years ago

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Kelly’s Lot is prepping for the official release of a new album. It’s titled Where And When and drops on June 11. But first, for those not yet familiar with the act in question, a bit o’ background.

Kelly’s Lot

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The Los Angeles-based band Kelly's Lot was formed by singer-songwriter and guitarist Kelly Zirbes in 1994. Today the 27-year-old multi-piece act has a rockin’ resume that includes 15 previous platters and tons of touring both in the US and Europe. Their music has been heard on TV and in films.

Signature sound

The band’s signature sound is a malleable mix of multiple music genres including (but not necessarily limited to) Americana, blues, folk, roots, southern rock, and west coast soul.

Where And When

Where And When is an 11-track album. As explained on their website, this disc is “ a 'live to tape' acoustic blues presentation.” According to a recent e-missive, this is their first project “to focus only on the blues,”

There are six original blues compositions and five blues covers. The artists they cover are “Howlin’ Wolf, Ma Rainey, Robert Johnson, and Lovie Austin. The all-acoustic presentation presents these songs with a historic flavor and a Kelly’s Lot twist.”

Zirbes, who always leads the way with her exceptional alto vocals, is once again tunefully teamed with co-producer and co-writer Perry Robertson (rhythm guitar), and co-producer Doug Pettibone (lead guitar). The team is completed with the addition of David Grover (upright bass).

Track by Track

The album poems strongly with the first of the original offerings. What better choice could there be but “Stronger”?

The second selection is the first of the cover cuts “Somebody In My Home.” From the start, it is obvious that they love the songs they cover. You can hear it.

Next is “Heaven.” Maybe it’s just your rascally writer, but believing in Heaven is one thing. Going there before one is finished enjoying what we were given is another thing. This is my kind of prayer, for sure. “Keep me down here, Lord. Don’t take me to Heaven yet. I ain’t ready for those wings.”.

Also included here is “Jealous Hearted Blues.” Zirbes does her gender and the genre credit with this cover. She does a good job without insisting on actually owning it.

“Lost” follows here. It’s a slow, sultry number that is not too soft to fit in here. It conjures up images of a lone figure walking slowly down a road as the sun sets. Is it a metaphor? It doesn't matter if it feels real, it is real to the person feeling lost.

“Nature” has an all too familiar message to those of us who work for a living. It is all too natural to have an imperfect life when you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Things are what they are.

The title track, “Where and When”, is certainly worthy of its choice. It is unclear why it was placed where it was placed but, hey, the track works so why complain?

The next number is “Stones In My Passway.” The signature sound remains strong even if it is presented in a more simplistic manner. The less production, the greater the challenge to perform well.

“That Fool” follows as Zirbes and company continue to meet the previously-mentioned challenge. You will feel sorry for some of the characters that Zirbes channels though but, hey, guess that’s why they call it the blues, right?

“Black Eye Blues” takes things in a slightly different direction in tempo and is a welcome addition. It’s still the blues but somehow it sounds exceptionally fun to sing and play.

The closing cut is “Ship.” Listen to the lyrics and you will see why this is especially an apt, effective album endnote. It’s nice to leave with a sense of hope and determination despite any previous problems presented here.

Overall…

Overall, this album is a refreshing simpler acoustic presentation of both original compositions and old school blues songs lovingly covered by performers who have enough respect to stay true to the heart of the music they represent here in a very down-home manner. Simply put, It’s clear they care about what they play. As is evident by this work, sometimes that is all you need to succeed. So check out Where And When by Kelly’s Lot or you just might feel forever “Lost.”

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(Images courtesy of​ Kelly’s Lot)

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