The Los Angeles-based, American electric-blues guitarist, and singer/songwriter KIRK FLETCHER is known for his soulful and unique renditions of contemporary blues.
RAW RAMP described his sixth album “My Blues Pathway” as: “sparkles of guitar, super-twangy funk beats, pin-stripe rhythms, and vintage feels…”
His sounds tend to evoke the vision of BB King — along with the kind of meditation you’d expect from the dry-boogie healer, Dr. John.
Over an illustrious career, the Californian musician has been a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Mannish Boys, he has provided backing for Joe Bonamassa and Eros Ramazzotti, and has been nominated for four Blues Music Awards and was a 2015 nominee at the British Blues Awards.
a debonaire doob that wouldn’t be out of place on a late night blues radio show in 1978…
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
His next blues album “Heartache By The Pound” will be released on his newly launched independent label Ogierea Records on July 29th 2022.
On the album, the guitar maestro is joined by a truly all star band: keyboardist Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Buddy Guy, John Mayall), drummer Terrence F. Clark (Robert Cray Band, Joss Stone), bass players Travis Carlton (Sara Barellies, Larry Carlton) and Randy Bermudes (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Charlie Musselwhite), backing vocalist Jade MacRae (Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Barnes), trumpet player Mark Pender (Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul), and saxophonist Joe Sublett (Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat).
The first single from the new album “Afraid To Die, Too Scared To Live” (video shared below) is a song composed by Kirk Fletcher with Richard Cousins and recorded at the iconic FAME Studios (Oak Ridge Boys, Rolling Stones, Duane Allman, Aretha Franklin). It is a debonaire doob that wouldn’t be out of place on a late night blues radio show in 1978, with elements of funk, soul, and R&B snuggled between glistening blues guitar. Plus, there are gorgeous horns, and unobtrusive – yet lustrous – backing vocals. The guitar is thoughtfully expressive. And Fletcher’s main voice is richly characterful. Yep, altogether, this is sprightly, classy, and cushiony smooth!
File alongside: Robert Cray
Link: https://linktr.ee/kirkfletcher
Words: @neilmach 2022 ©
Photos: © Mitch Conrad
RAW RAMP 