1 Roll Away the Stone
2 Sail the Jordan
3 When the Roll Is Called up Yonder - Kelly Joe Phelps, Black, James [Songw
4 Hosanna
5 Without the Light
6 Footprints
7 Go There
8 See That My Grave Is Kept Clean - Kelly Joe Phelps, Jefferson, Blind Le
9 Cypress Grove - Kelly Joe Phelps, James, Skip
10 That's Alright - Kelly Joe Phelps, Traditional
11 Doxology - Kelly Joe Phelps, Traditional

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A must have album if you are a fan of Kelly Joe Phelps

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: You wont be disappointed by this album if you like well crafted tales, slide guitar and Kelly Joe's voice.

Sage blues

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This is an album that makes one believe that Kelly Joe Phelps is older than his years. It's an insightful blues record.

A truly enlightening selection

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: Same inspired slide and soul touching voice. A Sunday morning ritual for JKP fans!

Probably a 4.5, but brilliant nonetheless...

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This is a classic Kelly Joe recording. Those familiar with Kelly Joe Phelps know that his recordings have evolved. His earlier works are dominated by masterful slide guitar work and his wonderful vocals. He later transitioned away from the slide to fingerpicking. He also abandoned his solo format for a band. Roll Away the Stone features nicely in his earlier catalogue of work.

The recording is stripped to the bare minimum. Featured are Kelly Joe's amazing slide guitar and his soft vocals. The stomp box percussion of his first release, Lead Me On, is gone. It is just a soft, meditative sound. His playing is virtuosic. His singing is perfect for his style. This recording is more expressive than his original. It is less polished. It sounds like the man just sat down with his guitar and flipped the record switch. This is by no means a complaint. This mood fits him perfectly. This work is more expressive and improvisational than Lead Me On. It is also less firmly rooted in the blues. Don't misunderstand, it is a great blues record, but his folk sound (which was also evident on Lead Me On) is much more prominently displayed here.

If I had to choose only one record of his first two, I would personally choose Lead Me On. I like the more prominent blues sound - plus the quiet percussion was a bonus. But thankfully such choices need not be made, so I have, play, and tremendously enjoy both. Each is spectacular. Each is important. This is truly a wonderful recording. In my estimation, Kelly Joe is the consummate "artist".

For what it's worth, I encourage you to invest in both of these earliest works and those that follow as well.

the premier blues artist of the 21st century

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: Although I strongly disagree with the 'spotlight review', (there are hardly too many Robert Johnson imitators, unless they're so bad that I didn't recognize them as such. The world -could- use a handful of good RJ imitators), I agree with the assessment of KJP.