Kelly’s Lot — “The Blues Remind Me” — PK Entertainment
Kelly Zirbes, the Kelly of Kelly’s Lot, is celebrating her 30th year making Americana, folk and blues music with her 17th album, and first in three years, “The Blues Remind Me.”
The Lot is a great mix of talented musicians; for this session that includes guitarist Perry Robertson, who produced and shared the songwriting with Zirbes on all ten tracks, Mike Sauer on drums and Matt McFadden on bass. Keyboard player Mo Beeks appears on most songs, and duets with Zirbes on a song he also co-wrote, “Gotta Sing the Blues.” Longtime Lot saxman Bill Johnston arranged the horns, including Paulie Cerra, Didier Reyes, Chip Tingle and Aviva Maloney. Special guests are Rob Zucca, guitar; Gary Bivona, flugel horn; and Frank Hinojosa and Tomislav Goluban on harp. That’s quite a band-full, but everyone comes together at the right place and time to create a masterful musical backing.
The album gets itself under way with that gorgeous duet between Zirbes and Beeks, with her sultry vocals paired with Beeks’ down-home grit, explaining how they “Gotta Sing the Blues.” It’s one of the most enjoyable songs in the session, throbbing with soulful blues. “Boogie Bus” follows, a rollicking party song that invites everyone to join the fun, and “boogie woogie all night long.”
“Mama’s Blues” is an eloquent tribute to Zirbes’ mother’s singing: “What else would I do/If I couldn’t keep singing her blues/It’s my way of healing.” Zirbes’ poignant vocals are enhanced by an elegant horn section, making this tender ballad an album highlight. The horns keep flowing, kicking up their heels on the energetic “It Ain’t Always,” another track full of musical fun.
“Man In The Moon” takes a jazzy turn, carried along by Beeks on keys in a lovely, lilting airing from Zirbes. “Without You” pounds home an insistent political message about coming together, framing contemporary politics. “Just Tell Me the Truth” follows, with its bouncy plea for hope and honesty changing the mood to one of healing differences.
“Blessings (are born from tears)” includes Beeks working the Hammond organ behind Zirbes’ passionate blues that soar from whispers to shouting and back again: “Life can hurt you so bad that it’s good….”
Goluban steps up with sparkling harp on the rhythmic “Aces,” a fund-raising trip to the tables in Vegas. The closer is the upbeat theme and music of “Love and Understanding,” with light-hearted keys and lyrical sensibility: “Without love and understanding, we’ll never win.”
Kelly Zirbes and her Los Angeles-based Lot have been creating their music for 30 years now, always with a blues presence, but this time with a stronger focus throughout the album. She’s an outstanding singer, creating moods that flow effortlessly from tough to tender. And it’s easy to say a lot about the Lot, who complete the package with sharp songwriting and music that elevates but never intrudes.
“I Gotta Sing the Blues” from the album:
Tracklist:
01. Gotta Sing The Blues (feat. Mo Beeks)
02. Boogie Bus
03. Mama’s blues
04. It Ain’t Always
05. Man In The Moon
06. Without You
07. Just Tell Me The Truth
08. Blessings
09. Aces
10. Love And Understanding
Blues Roadhouse 