Fletcher, Kirk: My Blues Pathway

Many of you may not be familiar with the name Kirk Fletcher although you might have heard his signature guitar as he has played with Joe Bonamassa and was the lead guitarist in The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Fletcher is an excellent singer and guitarist and every track on My Blues Pathway, his fifth album and released in 2020, invokes tremendous feeling and sensitivity. His vocals are both gritty and melodious, perfect for the blues. His guitar playing is equally moving, talk about having that certain touch where every note invokes a reaction in the listener. That clear, stabbing bluesy tone is addictive. Helping the bluesman are Travis Carlton (bass), Lemar Carter (drums), David Kida (drums), Jeff Babko (keyboards), Joe Sublett (saxophone) and Mark Pender (trumpet). A couple other musicians help out on track 10; Charlie Musselwhite adds harmonic and Josh Smith adds national resophonic guitar.

Fletcher’s biting electric guitar appears right form the start on the album opening “Ain’t No Cure For The Downhearted�, a subtle combination of soul and blues with a sly, sinuous beat, background organ and of course excellent lead guitar. “No Place To Go� is a little slower with dreamy splashes of organ and punctuated trumpet. The vocals are outstanding, very expressive and the guitar is played with gusto. More horns can be heard on “Love Is More Than A Word� filled with tasty organ and guitar. Fletcher’s guitar is heard often in the excellent “Struggle For Grace� with no less than three guitar solos and each one is superb. In the next track “I’d Rather Fight Than Switch� the invigorating up-tempo groove and scorching lead guitar is stellar. There are five more excellent tracks for you to check out.

Long story short - My Blues Pathway is nothing short of excellent and is not to be missed, period.

Track Listing:
1. Ain’t No Cure For The Downhearted
2. No Place To Go
3. Love Is More Than A Word
4. Struggle For Grace
5. I’d Rather Fight Than Switch
6. Heart So Heavy
7. Fattening Frogs For Snakes
8. Place In This World
9. D Is For Denny
10. Life Gave Me A Dirty Deal

Added: April 7th 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 514
Language: english

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