What makes Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind by Kelly Joe Phelps notable?

Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind received positive reviews for its raw authenticity and emotional depth, solidifying Phelps' reputation as a significant figure in contemporary blues. It has been noted for its influence on the acoustic blues revival and remains a touchstone for artists exploring similar stylistic realms. By the time Kelly Joe Phelps released Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind in 2005, he was already an established artist known for his unique approach to acoustic blues. This album followed his critically acclaimed 2001 release, Sky Like a Broken Clock, showcasing his continued artistic evolution and deepening lyrical themes.

How many songs are on Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind?

Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind has 9 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Tap the Red Cane Whirlwind

Kelly Joe Phelps · 2005

68 min · 9 tracks · blues

A haunting blend of blues and folk, weaving intricate guitar work with soulful, introspective lyrics.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues — This track is a modern interpretation of classic blues themes, featuring Phelps' signature slide guitar that evokes both melancholy and resilience.
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I Am the Light of the World — Phelps delivers a powerful vocal performance that merges gospel influences with blues motifs, highlighting his ability to convey spiritual yearning.
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Jericho — The song's lyrical narrative combines storytelling with vivid imagery, reflecting on personal struggles while drawing parallels to historical events.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends intricate guitar work with soulful lyrics, establishing a strong acoustic blues identity.

What we noticed

The album features intricate fingerpicking guitar patterns that dominate most tracks, creating a rich acoustic texture.
Vocals are often layered with harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues 9:47
2 Not So Far to Go 7:35
3 Jericho 8:46
4 Fleashine 6:44
5 Cardboard Box of Batteries 6:29
6 Gold Tooth 8:57
7 Tommy 6:48
8 I Am the Light of the World 6:31
9 Waiting for Marty 6:26

What to play next

Listen next

Western Bell

2009

Go back to

Tunesmith Retrofit

2005

Full Kelly Joe Phelps discography Artists like Kelly Joe Phelps

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata