Shine Eyed Mister Zen

Reception

Writing for Allmusic, music critic Michael Gallucci called the album "an accomplished serving of country blues that combines the sweet and sour power of his guitar playing with the equally bittersweet charge of Phelps' wearied voice... A mystical and unaffected recording." Jim Merkel of No Depression magazine wrote "Phelps’ songwriting also deserves notice. One would be hard-pressed to tell the originals interspersed among the traditional blues tunes here without looking at the credits. He also can take an old warhorse such as “Goodnight Irene” and strip away its tired reputation to reveal its underlying sense of quiet defeatism... Although subtle and compact, his playing never sacrifices fiery tension." While praising the album, George Graham wrote "Sonically this album is respectable but could be improved upon. It's a bit odd in stereo, with the vocals slightly off to the left and the guitar tending toward the right, instead of having the guitar miked in stereo to give it some depth. The guitar sound, though pleasing, could have been a bit richer and warmer. The dynamic range is decent, though some compression was applied which is audible in spots detracting from the subtleties of this all-acoustic performance." Bill Frater of Freight Train Boogie wrote "This is peerless music that one hears with one's soul as much as with one's ears."

Track listing

All songs written by Kelly Joe Phelps except as noted.

1. "The House Carpenter" (Traditional) – 6:43
2. "River Rat Jimmy" – 3:32
3. "Hobo's Son" – 4:07
4. "Katy" – 6:13
5. "Wandering Away" – 5:05
6. "Dock Boggs Country Blues" (Traditional) – 6:23
7. "Capman Bootman" – 4:55
8. "Train Carried My Girl from Town" (Traditional) – 4:25
9. "Piece by Piece" – 6:30
10. "Many a Time" – 4:15
11. "Goodnight Irene" (Lead Belly, Alan Lomax) – 5:39

Personnel

Production