01. Fading (4:18)
02. You Wanna Rock (3:39)
03. Lies (3:15)
04. The Artist In Me (5:19)
05. Love (2:50)
06. Afraid To Die (5:53)
07. Only Going Up (5:03)
08. Just Like A River (3:13)
09. I Want To Run (4:06)
10. Fading (Acoustic) (3:12)

Kelly Richey on guitar and vocals, 
Rikk Manning on bass, 
Tobe Donohue on drums, scratching and synths. 

“Shakedown Soul” is Kelly Richey’s 16th album in her 35 year career as a Master guitar slinger. The album is an unprecedented mix of urban/indie in-your-face, raucous rock n roll, blues, funky bass grooves, and synthesized electronica— complete with DJ scratching and drum loops; with added elements like horns, strings, and synth sequencing that combine to make “Shakedown Soul” a one-of-kind, phenomenal sonic wall of sound that will have you foot stomping and head banging one minute and completely mesmerized the next. Richey’s husky alto vocals and raw, ultra personal songwriting will leave you introspective, speechless and wanting more. Her guitar work on this album is truly exceptional— the songs retain her signature Strat sound, but Richey steps out of the box to incorporate new melodies and synthesized guitar sounds that sit perfectly within the concept of the album.

“Shakedown Soul” is a studio album superbly mixed and mastered by producer, Tobe “Tobotius” Donohue and features a group of extraordinary musicians and back scene talent all collaborating to make the finest piece of work that Richey has done to date. All the songs are original, and feature Richey on guitar and vocals, Rikk Manning on bass, and Tobe Donohoe on drums, scratching and synths. In “You Wanna Rock” and “Love” you can hear some of Richey’s early influences from bands like Led Zeppelin, Free, and Bad Company. The song “Lies” is influenced by Sheryl Crow’s self titled album, and the tracks “Afraid To Die” and “The Artist In Me” are haunting tunes that reflect the influence producer Daniel Lanois and artist Emmy Lou Harris’s “Wrecking Ball” album had on her. Add to that list “Just like A River” and you have three songs taken from Richey’s poetry and reflect her influence for artist Patti Smith— while musically being influenced from bands like the Smithereens and early Chrissy Hinds of the Pretenders. “I Want To Run” draws on straight forward power chords and powerful riffs that pull from influences like Lenny Kravitz. “Only Going Up” and “I Want To Run” is where you’ll find a classic example of where rock and roll and electronica meet face to face! Richey approached the writing and recording from a strip-downed perspective, writing the majority of this material to both rock and hip-hop drum loops. Heavily influenced by the work of early Black Keys, Jack White and Led Zeppelin, Richey handed her songs to Tobe to “do his thing”. Richey said to Tobe and Rikk, “You make me cool and you make me relevant and I’ll make you rock!” Indeed she did! Tobe brings his unique bend of heavy funk, electronica, D.J. production to each song, and Rikk manning completes the groove with his spectacular bass playing.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Richey has crafted her finest album to date, featuring ten stellar songs that are guaranteed to blow you away whether you are an old fan or new. Be prepared for an astonishing, intense sonic experience that will leave you with your jaw on the ground! --- kellyrichey.com

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01. Tears Like Rain - 5:48
02. Black Cat Bone - 5:21
03. The Blues Don't Lie - 4:35
04. Sold Me Down The River - 4:09
05. Scandalized - 5:42
06. Set It Off - 4:34
07. Turtle Blues - 6:01
08. Further On Up The Road - 4:29
09. Key To The Highway - 7:10
10. Angel - 4:27

Kelly Richey – guitar, vocals
Terry Williamson – bass
Shawn Wells – drums
+
Keith Hubbard – keyboards

“The Blues Don’t Lie” is Richey’s second studio CD release. This album grew out of a songwriting project between Richey and Sam “Shake” Anderson. Shake wrote and produced two songs specifically for Richey, and while they were in the pre-production stage, she decided to move forward and record a full-blown album. Richey reached out to another talented songwriter, the late Tim Krekel, and Tim suggested that she check out Melody Hill Studios located just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. He felt Melody Hill studio was the perfect place to record Richey’s album. Tim accompanied Richey to visit the studio, and in addition, gave her several of his songs to consider for the record. This special album includes two songs by Sam “Shake” Anderson: “Set It Off” and “Sold Me Down The River” and also “Scandalize” by Tim Krekel, with the remainder of the tracks on the CD a mixture of blues/rock standards, like “Further on up the Road” and “Key to the Highway”, which Richey deftly makes her own. “Turtle Blues” was a song recorded by the late Janis Joplin– a straightforward blues tune that resonated with Richey so much that she wanted to cover it here on this album. During the recording of “The Blues Don’t Lie”, Richey discovered the song “Angel”, co-written by the engineer/studio owner Vince Emmett. To this day, the song is a personal favorite of Richey’s. As a side note, the title track on this CD was the very first blues song Richey ever wrote. “The Blues Don’t Lie” is bluesy, honest and raw, with Richey obviously stealing the spotlight on this vulnerable, original song that draws directly from Richey’s own experiences in life. --- kellyrichey.com

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01. Feelin' Under [0:03:02.45]
02. I Went Down Easy [0:03:22.07]
03. Leavin' It All Behind [0:02:22.17]
04. Something's Going On [0:03:36.60]
05. Everybody Needs a Change [0:03:56.01]
06. Fast Drivin' Mama [0:03:03.70]
07. One Way Ticket [0:03:01.61]
08. Risin' Sun [0:03:33.71]
09. Dyin' [0:02:46.41]
10. Hard Workin' Woman [0:02:51.02]

Kelly Richey – guitar, vocals
Freekbass - bass
Bernie Worrell  - keyboards
J. Tom Hnatow – keyboards
Robby Cosenza – drums
Duane Lundy - percussion

“Sweet Spirit” rock and rolls across blues, funk, hip hop and straight up in-your-face rock and roll. Dishing up epic grooves and dirty crunchy guitar riffs, the ten-track album is rolled into a concise set of all-original songs that deftly mix brutish blues guitar and gritty swagger for foot-stomping rockers that shake and shimmy along within a stripped down but massive wall of sound. Pure vintage guitar tone, monster bass lines, and John Bonham-style drum grooves are augmented with Richey’s brawny gravel-studded vocals to produce her mightiest work yet. Richey sings with a competent authority and her down-and-dirty guitar grumble doesn’t disappoint. Richey has picked up the tempo on this album taking inspiration from the Black keys, R.L. Burnside, and The White Stripes, exploding with a raw, well-honed calculation that doesn’t sugarcoat or make excuses. Supported by engineer/producer Duane Lundy, Richey’s leave-blood-on-the-floor raw energy is highlighted rather than slick, polished out production, and gives a nod to Richey’s Led Zeppelin influenced core. Featuring Freekbass on bass guitar, Robby Cosenza on drums, and Bernie Worrell lending a shot of tasty keys, “Sweet Spirit” packs a potent knock-out punch that leaves Richey standing her ground as a serious, balls-to-the-wall, unapologetic rocker. ---cdbby.com

Looks can be deceiving, and so can the titles of blues albums. From seeing the mystical cover art of “Sweet Spirit,” the latest release from Lexington, Kentucky native Kelly Richey, one might expect to hear gentle melodies interspersed with the sounds of nature. Au contraire: This is a guitar album. Richey’s guitar style is more reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix than Joan Jett, and her vocal style like Janis Joplin rather than Janis Ian. Her whiskey-gravel vocals bear the wear and tear of the 800,000 miles she’s traveled in her thirty-five year career, and her electric shredder is lush with raucous riffs, sans long guitar solos on this outing. She is a masterful guitarist, but one would be remiss to call her a pure-blues musician. The ten songs on “Sweet Spirit” are take-no-prisoners hard rocking tracks, infused with blues and funk. Out of the three original selections below, two are most representative of the blues, and the third is a poignant ballad with a funky bass beat:

Track 02: “I Went Down Easy”--This tale of recovery from sweet love gone sour isn’t fit for Oprah or Dr. Phil. It’s a growling, wailing blues-rock anthem whose final guitar notes are an ominous death rattle. “I once fell to pieces,” Kelly admits with no sugar coating her vocal cords. “I fell so hard that I cried and cried. But I learned what I had to learn, and thank God I didn’t die.”

Track 05: “Everybody Needs a Change”--Listen very closely to the lyrics on this fifth song, a moving plea for reconciliation in the face of violence. Richey almost whispers this chilling refrain: “People are fighting all around the world, killing each other and I don’t know why. Tell me what it’s going to take to make us see. Tell me what it takes to even make us cry.” Bringing eighties rocker Alannah Myles of “Black Velvet” fame to mind, Kelly cools her usual tempo down a bit without losing one bit of her passion. She tenderly reminds us that “What’s been wrong can be right, even if it takes a fight.”

Track 10: “Workin’ Hard Woman”--More than any other offering on “Sweet Spirit,” this one sums Kelly Richey up: “I’ve no rings on my fingers, I’ve got no bells on my toes. I’m just a workin’ hard woman, and I know what I know.” She also plays the best blues guitar solo out of all ten songs, while keyboardist Robert Lee Carroll and percussionist Dave Farris back her up. --- thebluesblast.com

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01. Talks All Over Town - 2:49
02. You Was Wrong - 3:17
03. Good Days Bad Day's - 4:00
04. My Baby's Gone Crazy - 3:02
05. Stop Actin' Crazy - 2:07
06. Eyes Of A Woman - 5:09
07. Travelin' - 2:37
08. Someday Baby - 2:38
09. Dlues Don't Lie - 4:11
10. It Ain't Easy - 2:50
11. Strollin' After Hours - 2:46

Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals – Kelly Richey
Backing Vocals – Robbie Bartlett, Tanita Gaines
Bass Guitar – Jim Baugher
Harmonica – Jim Rosen
Horns – Gary Hicks, Kenny Bechtloff, Tom Jolly
Piano, Organ [Hammond] – David Barrickman
Producer – Scott Mullins 
Rhythm Guitar – Rusty Ends

Richey’s “Eyes of a Woman” CD was recorded in 1997 in Louisville, Kentucky and was produced by Scott Mullins. The title track, “Eyes of a Woman” and two other songs, “My Baby’s Gone Crazy” and Talks All Over Town” were co-written with Richey’s good friend Jay Goldenberg– an outstanding song writer who has helped pen several Kelly Richey Band favorites: “My Baby’s Gone Crazy” and Talks All Over Town” have been re-recorded on other live KRB CD’s and have been among the most requested songs throughout Richey’s career. Eyes Of A Woman also contains a cover of a favorite song of Richey’s by bluesman Freddie King, the funky “You Was Wrong”. “Good Days, Bad Days”, a song written by Gary Nicholson, is a dark and beautiful ballad that tells the story of someone rebuilding her life after the painful ending of a relationship. This song in particular shows off Richey’s vocal ability, a captivating alto– husky, soulful and rich. Many other Kelly Richey originals appear on this album including an alternative version of the foot-stomping “Travelin”. The songs “Someday Baby”, “Stop Acting Crazy” and “Strolling after Midnight” are all standouts as well. In addition, Richey’s very first original blues tune, “The Blues Don’t Lie” makes an appearance on this intriguing studio album as well. Eyes Of A Woman is richly textured musically, using a nice blend of horns and keyboards throughout, with the focus remaining on Richey’s guitar and made-for-the-Blues vocals. This CD shows a side not always seen from Richey; vulnerable, soulful and funky, she captures the spirit of the Blues with a touch of all-American Rock and Roll. --- kellyrichey.com

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01. One Day We'll Feel the Sun - 3:44
02. Is There Any Reason - 7:13
03. Only the Bird Knows - 2:34
04. Climb the Highest Mountain - 5:44
05. Stand Alone - 3:52
06. And I Sing - 2:30
07. The Longest Road - 6:21
08. Without a Trace - 3:42
09. If I Could Fly - 4:16

Kelly Richey – guitar
Jimmy V. – bass
David Clawson - drums

There are no vocals on the all-instrumental Speechless, so Kelly takes the opportunity to speak here to describe the CD's genesis. "I brought a selection of chords with loosely formed rhythmic ideas to a relatively new rhythm section, and we worked out arrangements and parts as David Clawson (on drums) and Jimmy V. (on bass) formed a new iteration the Kelly Richey Band. I wanted to add fresh, new material to the show, and I wanted to build on the promising relationship that was developing with this new rhythm section. We recorded the tracks in the basement of my home with the help of Rick Andress, an engineer and recording mentor. Rick had been tutoring me on using my new computer software for recording. He helped run the sessions, and also did the final mixes. I had always wanted to do a version of 'You’re Not Alone,' an instrumental by my favorite guitarist, Roy Buchanan. That led me to think about an album that was completely free of vocals. I thought it would force me to use just my guitar to express all of the emotions." Well said! --- kellyrichey.bandcamp.com

“Speechless holds a special place for me – it’s one of my favorite albums I’ve ever recorded. I brought a selection of chords with loosely formed rhythmic ideas to a relatively new rhythm section, and we hammered out arrangements and parts as we were working up the material for an updated version of the Kelly Richey Band. I wanted to add material to the show that was fresh, and I wanted to simply focus on the music to best allow me to create a relationship with my new rhythm section, David Clawson (drums) and Jimmy V. (bass guitar). I recorded this album in the basement of my home with the help of engineer and recording mentor Rick Andress. Rick had been tutoring me on how to use my new computer software for recording. He helped run the sessions, and also did the final mixes. My favorite record by my favorite guitarist Roy Buchannan is “You’re Not Alone”; an amazing instrumental record that had deeply influenced me as a guitar player for years. I longed to do an album that was free of vocals and in doing so, would force me to use just my guitar to express all of the emotions I felt I needed to express.” So states Kelly Richey of her 2006 studio release “Speechless.” A truly remarkable effort on Richey’s part to both write and record an all instrumental album that pays honor to the extraordinary artists who have inspired and influenced her musically throughout the years: Roy Buchanan, Jeff Beck, Al di Meola, Pat Metheny and Michael Hedges. “Speechless” is a timeless aural treat not to be missed— Richey’s work here has won critical acclaim and shines as a much-deserved career highlight. --- kellyrichey.com

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