As you all know I love debut albums, though technically, Kirk Fletcher's "My Turn", is really only a debut album for Eclecto Groove Records. Regardless, a Debut is a Debut, and in my books, I get excited when I hear that word.

Kirk Fletcher has been a busy guy since his first Debut, "Shades Of Blue", hit the streets in 2004, touring the world with his good friend Charlie Musselwhite and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. In fact he was featured on the The Fabulous Thunderbirds 2005, well reviewed release, "Painted On".

No stranger to the Blues Scene, this two time W.C. Handy Award Nominee, has honed his craft touring with and mentoring from some of the best in the business. Besides Charlie Musselwhite and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, he has also graced the stage with, Lynwood Slim, Janiva Magness, James Cotton, Pine Top Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Elvin Bishop, and Ronnie Earl, to name just a few.

Considered to be still a young blues guitarist, at 35, Kirk Fletcher now takes center stage and in no uncertain terms, truly lets us know, it is his turn.

"My Turn" consists of 10 powerful tracks, 7 covers and 3 originals, with Kirk making his vocal debut on two of those tracks, for which he does a mighty fine job.

"My Turn" is a Guitar Lovers Dream, reminding me a bit of the style of Jeff Beck, where he just lays back and lets his guitar do most of the singing and in doing so offers us a unique, masterful, and very well balanced Album. 

Kirk Fletcher's "My Turn" is a fine example of the immense talent there is out there in today's Blues World, a talent when brought to the forefront, and showcased, such as this Album, can show us all why Artists such as Kirk Fletcher, are so sought after.

True Debut or not, this is a wonderful Album that is sure to please all fans of Kirk Fletcher, old and new and I have no problem, as a matter of fact it is an honor, to give this CD my highest rating, Five *****... Great Work Kirk... Never Stop Man, Never Stop...

John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Other Info

Kirk Fletcher's long awaited return is finally here with "My Turn," his Eclecto Groove Records debut. A lot has happened since "Shades Of Blue," his first effort released back in 2004 for Delta Groove Music. Fletcher toured the world with Charlie Musselwhite and The Fabulous Thunderbirds and was featured prominently on the T-Birds recording "Painted On." He also befriended guitar legend Michael Landau who is not only a featured guest on this recording, but also generously offered Kirk use of his home studio for much of this project. "My Turn" finds Fletcher stretching out instrumentally and exploring new territory on guitar, as well as making his vocal debut on two songs.

Fletcher began playing guitar at the age of eight after watching his brother Walter perform at their father's church. A life changing experience then occurred at he age of twelve, whereby an impressionable young Kirk witnessed multiple awe-inspiring performances at the Long Beach Blues Festival in 1988. Observing Albert Collins, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and the Staple Singers on stage that weekend forever cemented Fletcher's desire to pursue music and ultimately head down the chosen path of the blues. CDBaby

Tracklist

1.El Medio Stomp 3:33
2.Found Love 3:52
3.Natural Anthem 4:27
4.Ain't No Way 3:00
5.My Turn 5:26
6.Congo Square 5:10
7.Way Back Home 7:47
8.Blues For Antone 4:05
9.Let Me Have It All 5:42
10.Continents End 6:38

Listen To Samples Here

About Kirk Fletcher

As a two time W.C. Handy Award nominee, who has toured with Lynwood Slim, Janiva Magness, Charlie Musselwhite and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, as well as performing with James Cotton, Pine Top Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Mojo Buford, Ted Harvey, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Michael Landau, Elvin Bishop, Ronnie Earl, Doyle Bramhall, Michelle Branch and many more… Kirk Fletcher is considered one of the best young guitar players on the blues scene today.

Born 1975 in Bellflower California, Kirk began playing guitar at age eight after watching his brother Walter perform at their father’s church. At age twelve he attended the Long Beach Blues Festival where he saw the likes of Albert Collins, Bobby Blue Bland, (accompanied by Wayne Bennett) and the Staple Singers. This was a life changing experience for him as he realized that this was the music he wanted to play.

While still in High School he discovered a small but legendary Los Angeles music store called Music Works, where he met owner Jim Foote, “Meeting Jim was invaluable in my search for tone and a better understanding of the mechanics of the instrument, and it was a very cool scene to be a part of....that’s how I met Jeff Rivera, who at the time was Robben Ford’s guitar tech. I got to assist him and be a fly on the wall to some of the most amazing musical events of my life up to that point....and it heightened my musicianship!” During this time he performed with R&B artist Christopher Williams and was playing gospel weekly at The House of Blues, with Brent Jones & The T.P. Mob, where he also shared the stage with such artists as Stephanie Mills and Jackson Browne.

In the Mid 90’s Kirk met Al Blake, front man of the Hollywood Fats Band who became a mentor to the young guitarist. Blake introduced him to wide variety of blues music, “Al hipped me to blues artists as diverse as The Mississippi Sheiks to Tommy Johnson...we’re talkin’ pre Robert Johnson stuff...that’s how far back we went..!” and it was through Blake he also met and bonded with guitarist Junior Watson, “Junior and I would get together smoke cigars, drink tequila and talk guitars...”

Around this time Kirk met and sat in with harmonica legend Lynwood Slim, “I’m grateful to Slim for giving me a stage to play on...” and it was then that Kirk released his first solo effort “I’m Here & I’m Gone” for the JSP Label. “It gave me a chance to pay tribute to my influences and to establish my solo career”. Kirk’s reputation was growing amongst harp players around town, and through an introduction, again, by Al Blake, Kirk sat in with Kim Wilson, and about a year later, got a call to join Kim Wilson’s Blues Review. “I played on and off with Kim for over 2 years....when he wasn’t working with the T-birds”, with the results being the Grammy nominated album “Smoking Joint” .

In 2003 Kirk recorded his second album “Shades of Blue” and it brought him even greater attention in the blues community, “Charlie Musselwhite found out about me through blues musician Doug MacLeod......,Charlie needed a guitar player and called me”, this gig was special for Kirk, “He gave me the freedom to find my voice on the guitar”. He spent three years touring with Charlie and feels that this is where he developed his unique style.

A year later, after another call from Kim, he joined The Fabulous Thunderbirds, where he contributed to and recorded on their “Painted On” album. “I made lifelong friends in Nick, Ronnie, Jimi, Steve and Gene”. In 2007 he gave notice in order pursue his solo career, and this is when he met up with legendary guitarist and producer Michael Landau. “ We first played together at the Baked Potato in L.A., quickly became friends and really connected musically”.

In recent years Kirk has been performing all over Europe as a headliner and occasionally touring in the U.S. with Doyle Bramhall and Michelle Branch. When home, he gives open counseling at Hollywood’s Guitar Institute of Technology. Currently he’s ready to release his third solo album, “My Turn”.

Kirk Fletcher Band Live at Spring Blues Festival in Belgium

Kirk Fletcher plays a fantastic solo on a song called "blues for boo boo".
Kirk Fletcher guitar, Per Øystein Erstad Bass, Jon Reidar Furulund Drums, Iver Olav Erstad Hammond B3$

http://kirkfletcherband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/kirkfletcherband