Slingshot Professionals

History

Slingshot Professionals was Phelps' first album with producer Lee Townsend. Phelps is joined by guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Keith Lowe on two tracks: "Not So Far to Go" and "Cardboard Box of Batteries," and the rest of the album features bassist Andrew Downing, as well as fiddler Jesse Zubot and guitarist Steve Dawson. Petra Haden (daughter of jazz musician Charlie Haden) whose album Townsend was producing at the time, harmonizes on one song.

Reception

Music critic Mark Allan wrote in his Allmusic review the album was "well worth a listen" The UK magazine Uncut wrote "The transformation from revivalist bluesman to contemporary singer-songwriter, which began on 1999's Shine Eyed Mister Zen, continues apace on his fifth album. His songs are now mini stories, sans verse-chorus-bridge restraints, populated by seekers of truth and peddlers of dreams."

Track listing

All songs written by Kelly Joe Phelps.

1. "Jericho" – 6:29
2. "Window Grin" – 3:50
3. "Slingshot Professionals" – 5:07
4. "Not So Far to Go" – 5:16
5. "It's James Now" – 4:22
6. "Waiting for Marty" – 5:05
7. "Knock Louder" – 4:24
8. "Cardboard Box of Batteries" – 5:18
9. "Circle Wars" – 7:05
10. "Rusting Gate" – 4:51

Personnel

Production notes: