“One of the cleanest, baddest, and most soulful slide players on the scene today. His impeccable timing and intonation should be an inspiration to slide players everywhere.” — Guitar Player

Over the last decade Kelly Joe Phelps has developed a large and dedicated following worldwide through constant touring and performing an average of 200 shows per year.

Diverse crossover appeal to fans of Ben Harper, Wilco, Jack Johnson, Elliott Smith, Doc Watson, Keb’ Mo’, Ry Cooder, Mississippi John Hurt, Burnside labelmate John Fahey, Bob Dylan, and Nick Drake.

Kelly Joe Phelps is a musician and songwriter from Oregon State who was first most well-known as one of the best living "bluesman" and lapslide guitar player.

Hundreds of gigs and bloodied fingers led up to his first recording for Burnside Records, an independent label based in Portland, Oregon. 'Lead Me On' was originally released in June 1994, representing a recording session that was to set up the Kelly Joe Phelps standard for recording practice: "close your eyes and play".

Fortunately, this cd was embraced by the musical community at large, allowing Kelly Joe his first touring opportunities. Radio stations KCRW in Los Angeles and WXPN in Philadelphia invited him in their studios to perform, increasing his audience base further. Word began to spread.

Kelly Joe signed to Rykodisc in 1997, releasing his second record 'Roll Away The Stone'. It won high praise, both nationally and internationally, and set him off for tours throughout Europe, Australia and Canada. He performed on national radio shows; 'Prairie Home Companion' in the States; the BBC in the UK, as well as national broadcasts in Holland and Belgium. He appeared on the covers of both 'Acoustic Guitar' and 'Folk Roots' magazine. He drank many different versions of strange, stale coffee - some of which was instant.

1999 saw the release of his second Rykodisc record, 'Shine Eyed Mister Zen' and his first tour of Japan. The audience continues to grow and support - from blue-rinse cane racers to elbow-padded university professors to fat-shoed skater vagabonds.

The future remains a mystery, as it should.

Description

Many consider Kelly Joe a living Blues legend and this critically acclaimed first release bears witness.

Album Notes

"Lead Me On" is the real deal: Lap slide guitar and vocals recorded live on analog tape, perfectly capturing the raw Delta Blues and dusty Americana style that defines Kelly Joe Phelps.

Not since Lucinda Williams debuted with an all-acoustic solo album of traditional country blues in 1979 has an artist appeared on the folk-blues scene with the immediate authority of guitarist Kelly Joe Phelps.

Equally indebted to traditional pioneers of Delta-style country blues like Leadbelly and Blind Lemon Jefferson as to more exploratory visionaries like Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder (Phelps plays much of this album on a slack-tuned Hawaiian guitar, a style Cooder popularized), Phelps sings with dusty wisdom and plays like a master.

A former jazz bassist, Phelps has an impeccable sense of timing, essential to a music so immediate.

Opening with the traditional gospel tune "I've Been Converted" but focusing almost exclusively on magnificent originals after that, LEAD ME ON is an immensely satisfying, exciting album announcing the arrival of a major country-blues talent.

Recording Location

Portland, Oregon