Kelly Richey is one of a number of female guitar slingers working to make a mark on the blues and blues-rock scene. Despite her sizzling guitar and emotion-filled vocals, Richey remains one of the lesser known talents on the music scene today.
The Kentucky-born native now hails from nearby Cincinnati, Ohio. Building her reputation as a blues rocker that can hold her own with anyone (she once talked her way on stage with Albert King and ended up playing all night), Richey has started to attract a greater audience nationally, playing to packed houses from coast-to-coast. Her smokey voice was made for music and often invokes images of other female artists such as Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt.
Sending Me Angels is Kelly Richey's latest release on Sweet Lucy Records. Produced by Grammy winner John Snyder, Richey's talents are showcased fronting a band of seasoned musicians with resumes that include work with Johnny Lang, B. B. King, Al Green and Coco Montoya. Four of the eleven songs are Kelly Richey originals. The remaining songs are gems written by the likes of Jerry Lynn Wilson, Craig Fuller and the timeless singer/songwriter, Delbert McClinton.
The CD includes several songs with solid blues underpinnings, including "Lifetime Guarantee" and "Nobody's Fault But Mine." However, this is clearly a blues-rock recording with a significant emphasis on rock. Richey definitely possesses the soul of a blues player while demonstrating the fire of a rocker. Sending Me Angels opens with the sultry sounding rocker, "Nothing To Do With Love," and ends soulfully with the title track, "Sending Me Angels." Regardless of the mood she is trying to create; love, angst, jealousy, sadness, etc., Richey consistently demonstrates great style and emotion in her presentation. While not a CD for the easy listener or hard core blues fan, Sending Me Angels is an exciting and entertaining recording.
Kelly Richey has definitely become a talent that commands national attention and an artist that everyone should see at their earliest opportunity. Checkout Kelly's bio, tour schedule and pick up a copy of Sending Me Angels by checking out her website at www.kellyrichey.com.
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dave "Doc" Piltz, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.