If you’re reading this, you’ve no doubt seen our Couch Surfing sessions with Kathy Kelly (and if you haven’t, what’re you waiting for?!). At the WATU camp, we’ve been eagerly awaiting Buck Up Little Camper, Kelley’s newest offering. Backed by a full band for the record, her songs feel fuller than her solo performances. This is no slight to Kelley at all, but taking the smoky guitar and vocals and adding drums, lead and rhythm guitars and harmonica here and there aid Kelley in giving each individual track a more distinct identity.
“Shot At The Moon” begins the record at a soft, steady pace. The jaunty melody and blues-inspired guitar work eases the listener in while the gentle refrain doesn’t so much beat you over the head with infectiousness as it does invite you to join in agreement that “everybody wants their shot at the moon.”
Storytelling lyrics in songs like “Cleveland,” “7th Daughter,” and “Boxers and Thieves” showcase Kelley’s lyrical prowess; however, it’s her voice that remains to be the true star of the album. It carries the strength and whimsical changes of a blues singer yet maintains rooted in an Americana folk style. Most admirable is the singer’s ability to take elements from these genres and blend them together in her songs.
“Scarecrow,” for example, contains a melodic structure found in many mid-tempo folk songs. Yet Kelley will start up specific sections with a louder, deeper, more concentrated sound than when she quickly quips “after a girl has seen Emerald City, how you gonna keep her at home?” in the song’s final verse.
Not only a display of talent, but these change-ups of pace and vocal style maintain the album’s freshness. Though the general tone and pace doesn’t change too much during the record, the intricate switches in style keep the ears satisfied. None of the album’s ten tracks are wasted, and the record as a whole is extremely well produced.
For those who prefer soulful, blues-driven music featuring one of the strongest voices you’ll find in the Upstate, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Buck Up Little Camper. Hers is a powerful voice that hasn’t been heard enough and is guaranteed to impress you with her powerful collection of stories, memories, and musings. You can purchase it on all the normal outlets (iTunes, Amazon) and you can preview each of the album’s tracks on her LastFM page.
