Kelly Richey Speechless CD

Occasionally, on the Kelly Richey Band's all-instrumental album Speechless (get it? So have Albert Lee, Bruce Cockburn, and many other artists making vocal-free recordings.), sparks fly and you want to believe. This happens on "The Longest Road," on which blues-rock guitarist Richey's soaring, melodic lead lines escalate, change course, fly off someplace else and rise yet again. And it happens on "Only the Bird Knows," on which Richey takes to her acoustic guitar and deftly balances the instrument's inherent gentleness with serious rhythmic muscle. But mostly it just doesn't happen. For too much of Speechless, Richey and her rhythm section -- bassist Jimmy V and drummer David Clawson -- trod and plod. That is to say they trod on familiar territory (Stevie Ray Vaughan fans will often feel déjà vu) and plod through arrangements that never quite get off the ground. While the decision to make an instrumental album was a noble one indeed, the lack of vocals, rather than serve to draw attention to the musicians' proficiency or the properties of their interactions instead makes most of Speechless feel like backing tracks. Richey is obviously a talented guitar slinger, but she's lost for original ideas here. And the bassist and drummer are powerless to save her; drummer Clawson is particularly wooden throughout. It would not be surprising to learn that these same tunes have the potential to rile up a bar crowd, but the studio setting only points up the been-there-heard-that nature of the music. ~ Jeff Tamarkin

With Speechless, Guitarist Extraordinaire Kelly Richey Has Something To SayCINCINNATI, OH - With the August 8 release of her new CD, Speechless, on Sweet Lucy Records (distributed nationally by Select-O-Hits), guitarist/vocalist extraordinaire Kelly Richey returns with her first new studio album in five years. Kelly has won multiple awards, played on stage with Lonnie Mack and Albert King, toured internationally, and as Blues Revue stated in a review of one of her earlier albums, 'She's overflowing with confidence and the kind of star power that can't be faked.

' Speechless is worth the wait, as this latest project marks yet another achievement in Kelly's diversified musical career. It's a truly remarkable effort that fulfills a dream of the Cincinnati-based artist to write and record an all instrumental album that pays tribute to many of the guitarists who have both inspired and influenced her throughout the years: Roy Buchanan, Jeff Beck, Al DiMeola, Pat Metheny and Michael Hedges.

On Speechless, Kelly salutes several of her guitar heroes with nine songs that demonstrate the breadth of her playing. Among the many standouts, are the opening track, 'One Day We'll Feel the Sun,' with a clear nod to Jimi Hendrix; 'Is There Any Reason,' which recalls the tones of Roy Buchanan; 'Climb the Highest Mountain,' with its Joe Walsh/James Gang influences; 'Stand Alone,' played in the Lonnie Mack style; and 'Without a Trace,' which will remind listeners of the Eric Clapton/John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers sound. Speechless represents a different perspective, an added dimension of Kelly Richey and her new band. The songs are fresh, mature, at the same time staying true to her unique ability to emote and express the passion in her playing. All songs were written and recorded in the new Sweet Lucy Records studio, Underground Playground, by Kelly and her band: David Clawson on drums and "Jimmy V" Valdez on bass. She continues to evolve as an artist and has never limited her guitar playing to only one style or genre; instead she has played straight from the heart, weaving blues and rock together expressing both the pain and the joy of life. Kelly Richey's trademark when performing live is to take no prisoners, laying it on the line, giving everything she's got with each and every performance. It's paid off for Kelly and her band, winning numerous Cincinnati awards as best blues band, best rock band, best local musician and best local ban