A few years ago a friend in Japan introduced me to this guy Kelly Joe Phelps, who knocked me on my ass upon the first listen. Though he started out as an experimental/jazz/classical guy his music now is primarily acoustic blues/singer-songwriter based. Though he's a phenomenal guitarist it's Phelp's songwriting skills that really get me - he is a true poet. Theres something deeply nostolgic about his lyrics and voice that always makes me think of riding around the countryside in my Grandpa's pickup or sitting on the backsteps playing my old acoustic guitar.His last release, the live album Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind might be a good one to get familiar with him, but everything I've heard is solid. Not a bad record in his discog.Kelly's new album Tunesmith Retrofit just dropped in the US on "Rounder Records":http://www.rounder.com/ or if your in Japan on "Buffalo Records":http://www.buffalo-records.com/ (the finest label in Japan).Kick back and enjoy some tunes"Fleashine (live)":http://www.kellyjoephelps.net/mp3/tapredcane04.MP3"The Anvil":http://www.kellyjoephelps.net/mp3/tunesmith02.mp3"Plumb Line":http://www.kellyjoephelps.net/mp3/tunesmith04.mp3"Support indie artists and buy it":http://www.fastatmosphere.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KJPCD8&Category_Code=FA-KJP