Longtime Portland, OR musician Kelly Joe Phelps is releasing his ninth full-length album, Brother Sinner and the Whale. The locally renowned slide guitarist follows-up 2009’s Western Bell by revisiting his religious roots with a contemporary blues gospel record. Phelps is a master guitar player and fine songwriter, and his arrangements on Brother Sinner and The Whale are an homage to the blues and folks greats, much like his recent piece on The Mississippi Sheiks tribute record. Standout tracks include “Talking to Jehovah” and “I’ve been Converted.” – Written by JFelton