Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind

Kelly Joe Phelps | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0006ZFQLW
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues

2. Not So Far to Go

3. Jericho

4. Fleashine

5. Cardboard Box of Batteries

6. Gold Tooth

7. Tommy

8. I Am the Light of the World

9. Waiting for Marty

Editorial Reviews

Kelly Joe Phelps is the premier acoustic blues guitarist. For years his fans have been begging him to release a live CD. At last, Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind is the long-awaited opportunity to hear Kelly Joe recorded live in concert! Over an hour of pure unadulterated Kelly Joe Phelps at his finest – recorded in the intimate environments of two favorite venues – McCabe's in Santa Monica and The Freight And Salvage in Berkeley. The repertoire features Kelly Joe favorites, including "Jericho," "Tommy," "Not So Far To Go," plus astonishing versions of two classic cover songs – "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues" and "I Am The Light Of The World."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2005's Gift From Mr. Phelps, February 20, 2005

By 

Juan Mobili (Valley Cottage, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind (Audio CD)

Being familiar and enriched by the integrity and quality of Kelly Joe Phelps' prior recordings, the only reservation I had before I bought this CD was that it was live.
Understand me, I don't dislike live albums in principle. In the case of certain artists, live recordings have captured legendary performances and unusual moments of beauty.
Anyway, the point was whether an album of new versions of old songs and a couple of classic Blues, plus the potentially limited sound of a live performance, would add to Phelps' track record.
Great news. This album is as satisfying and likely to touch you as much as any one of Phelps prior incarnations, whichever one may be your favorite.
The album begins with a remarkable version of the classic "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues," sung so close to the bone you may think he's channeling Skip James himself, and also serving a the first reminder of this man's skill and feel on the acoustic guitar.
Both his voice and his strings do the honors on several of self-penned tunes too. Three that must be mentioned, for their intimacy and new touch, are "Not So Far To Go" and "Waiting For Marty" -both ballads that were highlights from his last studio album Slingshot Professionals"- and the tender and thoughtful "Tommy." Plus the second cover, "I Am The Light O f The World," is equally astounding.
Finally, the quality of the recording is impeccable as live albums go. It seems that the people in the small audience present were as enthralled as I, when he played these songs. Other than applauses respectfully waiting for the end of each song, the silence is absolute. Almost reverential of the great music captured on Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid effort by a craftsman of instruments and songs, February 2, 2005

By 

Birdman (Minnetonka, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind (Audio CD)

Kelly Joe Phelps is a member of the old school of blues and folk music. He has crafted most of his instruments himself to acquire the deep blues sound that works its way to the bones of his audience. His songwriting- draws upon mixed blues traditions. His productions are lean and beautifully miked, and his packages are well-produced with full lyrics and ample credits. On this generous (over 70:00 set) set of live concert-takes from McCabes in Santa Monica and The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, he plays some gorgeous work from previously produced issues and some new pieces too. His lyrics run the gamut from Jesus to bourbon, but the emotional impact and sheer acoustic loveliness of these performances will have universal appeal. While he's occasionally been criticized for a certain sameness in the tenor and tone of his songs, more careful listening reveal's an artist with as great a mastery of his custom guitars as Paul O'Dette has of lutes. The man is a marvel, and at $12.98, I can't imagine a better deal on real American music.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accoustic blues..., February 10, 2005

By 

Daniel Larocque (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind (Audio CD)

I first listened to this album at the reccord store under the jazz/blues category, expecting to hear electric lament guitar solos; typical blues you know?

Well I was pretty darn surprised when I discovered it was everything but "typical blues".

Mr Phelps came up with a live album using only accoustic guitar as an instrument. Is voice and music immediatly brought up an image inside my head : burning hot asphalt under a deadly summer afternoon sun....

I brought it back home and popped it into the CD player and started listening. The quality of production was so good that I felt as if I was sitting on Mr. Phelps front porch listening to his music while sipping a bourbon. Wish I actually had Bourdon at that time....

This album is very mellow and heart warming. This guy has a great voice.

I have a hard time imagining that anyone could actually totally dislike this album. That's how good it is.