Brother Sinner and the Whale

Reception

Music critic Thom Jurek praised the release in his Allmusic review, writing "...it's the originals, all rooted in country and blues gospel, that embrace with unflinching honesty a return to Phelps' evangelical roots, but he's older, wiser, repentant. His bottleneck slide playing and fingerpicking finesse are deft and fluid as ever. His writing is tight, full of solid melodies, beautiful couplets, biblical poetry, and lithe passages where lyrics and guitars blur and intertwine seamlessly... No matter your spiritual beliefs, it's difficult to fault Phelps for such a warm, inviting, and brave recording. If conviction and quality are the measure of a songwriter and musician, the songs and performances on Brother Sinner & the Whale are the very measure of both."

Track listing

All songs written by Kelly Joe Phelps unless otherwise noted.

1. "Talkin' to Jehovah" – 4:36
2. "Goodbye to Sorrow" – 3:28
3. "Hope in the Lord to Provide" – 5:45
4. "Pilgrim's Reach" – 4:29
5. "Spit Me Outta the Whale" – 4:05
6. "Sometimes a Drifter" – 4:52
7. "Hard Time They Never Go Away" – 4:43
8. "I've Been Converted" (Traditional) – 3:09
9. "The Holy Spirit Flood" – 4:58
10. "Down to the Praying Ground" – 4:35
11. "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" – 3:27
12. "Brother Pilgrim" – 2:59

Personnel

Production notes: