Kelly's Lot - When or Where

Kelly's Lot
When or Where
Self-produced

Kelly's Lot was formed in 1994 by Kelly Zirbes, a folk singer/songwriter with a heart for the blues. Kelly Zirbes met guitarist and soundman Perry Robertson in 1996, who soon after produced 'Kelly's Lot - Live at the Troubadour,' one of the 15 CDs by Kelly's Lot. Within a year, he joined the band. In the last ten years, they have mostly played as a 5–8-piece blues band. It has been a year or so since "Can't Take My Soul" came out. I wrote favorably about that album and Ms. Zirbes, "Her grainy, heartfelt singing and crisp, understated support result in a varied and enjoyable set of blues and roots.

"When or Where" is an acoustic collection of blues and blues-tinged songs that would fit in as Americana. Also on this recording is Doug Pettibone, co-producer and guitarist, and David Grover on bass. The songs include interpretations of songs from Howlin' Wolf, Ma Rainey, Lovie Austin, and Robert Johnson, along with originals by Zirbes and Robertson that are "inspired by them and others who came before us."

The acoustic backing echoes my comments concerning the prior album about understated support, especially Pettibone's guitar (slide and non-slide). At the same time, Robertson and Grover provide a firm backing for her singing. "Stronger" opens this set with Zirbes vigorously singing about not giving in to the challenges of everyday life and "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Pettibone's mix of chords and rolling single-note runs adds to the appeal here. I did find her vocal on "Heaven" going a bit over the top towards the end where there was a backing chorus, but that is a minor blemish. "Lost" is a slow original with a song about being on a lonely road with no way home. With a simple, stark backing, it is very moving. The title track is a shuffle about loss and remembrance and being left alone and can't call someone on the phone.

There are a couple of unusual Howlin' Wolf covers. "Somebody in My House" is taken at a slower, quieter fashion on Wolf's song about infidelity with slide guitar adding to the atmosphere. "Nature" is taken a walking tempo as she sings about its natural to be looking around. Lovie Austin wrote "Jealous Hearted Blues," which was recorded by Ma Rainey. With Pettibone's slide guitar (sounds like a dobro) and her laid-back singing, one suspects this performance could easily cross over to traditional country and Americana. Pettibone sounds like he is playing twelve-string lending a jug-band or skittle band feel to Ma Rainey's "Black Eyed Blues." An amiable cover of Robert Johnson's "Stones in My Passway" benefits from an arrangement that is not a copy of Johnson's recording.

As on "Can't Take My Soul," Kelly Zirbes impresses with her subtle, expressive vocals. With the well-thought repertoire and steady, emphatic backing, "When or Where" should have considerable appeal.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review is in the current July-August 2021 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 397). I have discovered I never posted my review of "Can't Take My Soul." I will post that review later this week. Here is a video for "Stronger."