"…Let Live" is a beautiful song. Kelly's vocal performance here is outstanding. "Regrets hold you down so low/Oh, regrets hold you down so low/Help me, lord, to let them go." Doug Pettibone delivers more wonderful stuff on pedal steel here. "It's time to forgive/Learn to let live/Before there's nothing left to give." It's a difficult lesson, I find, especially these days. And here Kelly again speaks against anger:  "Anger is a cage so small/Oh, this anger is a cage so small/Help me, lord, to release it all." Indeed. What I've found is that anger hurts only me, not those who have made me angry. One thing I love about those lines is that she sings "this anger," mentioning her own anger, which has the effect of drawing us together rather than separating us. There is some beautiful work on guitar. This is another of my favorites. Then "This Time" comes on with a great sense of cheer. The first line Kelly delivers is "We'll make it this time," and she repeats the line for emphasis, because perhaps we are uncertain at first. And check out these lines: "In our hearts we'll find a place that we can call our own/And in this world we'll find a way to keep us safe and warm." Oh yes. We have to make it this time, for it's our only time. This track is yet another of the album's highlights. I think we all need this music now…" Michael Doherty 
 

Kelly’s Lot: The Blues Remind Me PK Entertainment Vocalist Kelly Zirbes has fronted this hard-working Californian outfit for thirty years with the blues never far from the agenda. Album no.16 aims to be even more of a homage to the genre but can’t help emphasizing other wonderful strengths. Zirbes duets with stellar guest Mo Beeks to get the set rolling with their self-penned ‘The Blues Remind Me,’ his rich keyboards driving a sweet, soulful groove underlying swaggering, complementary vocals. Elsewhere she links up with long-term writing sidekick and guitarist Perry Robertson to create a fine selection of original songs, backed by the lynchpin rhythm section of drummer Mike Sauer and Matt McFadden (bass). ‘Boogie Bus’ is next, driven along by Frank ‘Cisco’ Hinojosa’s harmonica, a fun ride all round. But the decision to augment the band to create a big band sound is a game changer. The best tracks here are often those enhanced by horns, brass or harmonica. Alongside the varied shades of sax there is trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn and flute. All credit to the band’s long-time baritone sax man Bill Johnston for coming up with classy horn arrangements which highlight verve with considered subtlety. ‘ M a m a ’ s B l u e s ’ is slow-paced and soulful with Zirbes in a different comfort zone, steady vocals, never stretched, all in a deep, deceptively sparse mix. Organ underlay from Beeks helps to keep it smooth but the number steps up with a sax solo of pure class, even more impressive for it’s actual brevity.  The mood turns jazzy on ‘Man In The Moon,’ a reflective love poem, lyrically original and wonderfully laid-back with understated piano, upright bass, perfect percussion and solo trumpet all adding to the late-night feel. ‘Just Tell Me The Truth’ is another boldly brassy affair in which a funky feel is capped by free-flowing flute and snappy lead guitar. Best of all is the back-to-basics ‘Blessings,’ a slow burning minor key blues, replete with chunky organ and sprinkles of acoustic guitar, all a perfect setting for Zirbes to build up to find her ‘inner Janis and then end with a whisper.-  John Bottomley - Blues in Britain 

Kelly Zirbes and her Los Angeles-based Lot have been creating their music for 30 years now, always with a blues presence, but this time with a stronger focus throughout the album, THE BLUES REMIND ME.  She’s an outstanding singer, creating moods that flow effortlessly from tough to tender. And it’s easy to say a lot about the Lot, who complete the package with sharp songwriting and music that elevates but never intrudes.  

Kelly’s Lot has been around for more than a quarter-century, which is a tribute to both the quality of the songwriting and excellent musical production. This album, WHERE AND WHEN for example, is rich with interplay between two talented guitarists (and a bass, of course!), all layered warmly around thoughtful lyrics and expressive vocals. Listen to it soon. 

Channel Islands– The Concerts by the Sea attendees got a special treat Saturday, August 27, as Kelly’s Lot filled in for Ray Jaurique & The Uptown Brothers, that had to cancel for unforeseen circumstances and delivered a solid blues performance.

Singer/Songwriter Kelly Zirbes said she got the call Thursday, 25, to step in for Ray Jaurique.

“Ray Jaurique & The Uptown Brothers is one of my favorite bands,” Kelly said.

Kelly said writing a Blues song is digging deep about something you lack, desire, or want, you’re not getting, or someone has been taken away from you.

“I have a lot of songs about that because my Mother was a single Mother with five kids,” she said. “I write a lot about my Mom.”

Kelly noted her song “Woe is Me” is about her.

“It’s a parody on blaming, but it’s always me,” she said. “I do write political songs and songs about people and what they’re going through. I don’t write a lot about me.”She asks her Facebook friends to give her a word then she’ll write a song in about two hours for fun.

“I do that a lot,” Kelly said.

She started singing to herself at a young age and got her first guitar at age 12.

“My Mom was a singer, and she encouraged me,” Kelly said. “I was writing music when I was young because it is a way to get your feelings out. I didn’t have fun with music until I was in my 30s. Music, to me, was about feeling it.”

She said the morning hours are good for writing because she’s more creative.

“I can open a book, grab a word and write a song,” she said. “I can put the news on, see a story, and write a song about it. It’s all there for us to write about.”

She hasn’t played at The Harbor for five years and noted that the crowd was amazing.“I think they liked us,” she said. “They really like hearing the words because people came up and said that to me. It’s nice they’re listening to our original songs. We did three cover songs, but that was it.”

Kelly liked how the crowd got dancing, to which she responded in kind but admitted she’s “like that anyways.”

“It was fun to look behind and beside the stage and see everybody,” she said. “I put this band together to have a good time, and I have a good time on stage.”

After every show, she goes home and hopes she didn’t embarrass herself.

“That’s how you know you gave it your all and left it all on stage,” she said.

She and her husband Perry perform in the band and said he makes it easier.

“We write songs together,” she said. “He’s great at the sound, which is awesome, so I don’t have to worry about that. I book the band and plan the tours.”“This is awesome,” she said. “look at this. The crowd is the same, it’s a beautiful day, and it’s live music to dance to and celebrate the end of the week or the beginning of the week.

I haven’t been to a lot of them (concerts) but what I have been to is perfect.”

Ruby B was surprised about the change.

“Before everybody started coming in, they were doing little practice sessions, and people were moving already,” she said. “I take that as a good sign. I love the concert series. Thanks to all the people who organized this. It’s fantastic.”

Kelly’s Lot is a very cool Southern California band that has a long history with the blues. They’ve recorded something like sixteen albums, and each one had some blues on them – the last three were all blues.  I only have one of their previous albums, but I remember I really liked it and played selections from it for at least a month.

Now the group is back with a brand-new independent release, The Blues Remind Me. It’s great blues with a pinch of jazz to change things up a little. Kelly Z (Zirbes) has recruited some high powered performers to round out her band.

The album starts out with a guest turn by Mo Beeks. I Gotta Sing The Blues is a beautiful blending of voices with some nifty B3 work. Kelly Z has a down and dirty voice and she can turn into a smoky growl at the drop of a hat. This is a slow but powerful piece that makes a promise to the listener that they are going to hear a strong album.

The group puts a little pep in their step and crank up the tempo for the next song, Boogie Bus. It’s a fun number with some good harp work and I bet it is a killer song when seen live as you almost can’t help but move your feet while the song is swinging.

Things slow down nicely for the heartfelt Mama’s Blues. It’s the story of how Kelly Z came to the blues through her mother. If it doesn’t move you, you probably should be in therapy. There’s a beautiful and soulful sax solo that elevates the song and underscores its poignancy.

Piano and horns drive It Ain’t Always and this one quickens the pulse. It’s a quick song, under three minutes long but it packs a punch. I really like this one a lot.

Stripping down the sound for Man In The Moon, Kelly Z and company showcase her voice against a piano, guitar, bass, and muted drums. It reminds me of a torch singer standing behind an old-fashioned ribbon microphone with a tight spotlight on her. The trumpet break is a nice touch. More of this please, it’s a killer song!

Everyone gets a little funky with the next song, Without You. The B3 adds a nice touch as does the echo effect on some of the lyrics. Kelly Z shows that her voice isn’t stuck in one groove, that she can take on a variety of styles.

There’s some cool instrumentation on Just Tell Me The Truth, including some jazz flute and a horn section. The two play off each other nicely and when the electric guitar joins in, the effect is strong. Good, jazzy number.

Kelly Z softens her approach for the beginning of Blessings taking her voice down to a purr, but she also has a backbone in that purr. This is a song that makes you sit up and listen. The B3 adds a break that stands out.

The harp is back for Aces along with an up-tempo delivery. It’s the story of what some people will do to get money – there’s rarely a get rich scheme that works. Kelly Z spins a good story and the song runs at a breakneck speed underscoring the desperation of the inhabitants of the song. What would you do in the same circumstances?

The album ends on an upbeat number, Love And Understanding. It’s another song that clocks in at under three minutes and leaves the listener smiling at the possibilities. “Without love and understanding, this will never last.” Nice piano work as well, and the brush work on the drums gives it an intimate feeling. Nice way to end the disc.

Kelly’s Lot is big in Southern California and are starting to make a name for themselves in other parts of the country. I hope they come east for some festivals or concerts so I can catch them live. In the meantime, anyone who sees them, I welcome your thoughts on their performance. - PROFFESSOR JOHHNY P SUBSTACK 

It was fun and exciting to get your note! I first came upon 'Where and When' a few weeks ago.  Your songwriting, playing, and singing are special.  I will continue to play your songs from time to time and would love to hear any more blues you wish to share with me.  Cheers!  Dale Zimmerman - WDRT

Kelly Zirbes, the Kelly of Kelly’s Lot, is celebrating her 30th year making Americana, folk and blues music with her 17th album, and first in three years, “The Blues Remind Me.”

The Lot is a great mix of talented musicians; for this session that includes guitarist Perry Robertson, who produced and shared the songwriting with Zirbes on all ten tracks, Mike Sauer on drums and Matt McFadden on bass. Keyboard player Mo Beeks appears on most songs, and duets with Zirbes on a song he also co-wrote, “Gotta Sing the Blues.” Longtime Lot saxman Bill Johnston arranged the horns, including Paulie Cerra, Didier Reyes, Chip Tingle and Aviva Maloney. Special guests are Rob Zucca, guitar; Gary Bivona, flugel horn; and Frank Hinojosa and Tomislav Goluban on harp. That’s quite a band-full, but everyone comes together at the right place and time to create a masterful musical backing.

The album gets itself under way with that gorgeous duet between Zirbes and Beeks, with her sultry vocals paired with Beeks’ down-home grit, explaining how they “Gotta Sing the Blues.” It’s one of the most enjoyable songs in the session, throbbing with soulful blues. “Boogie Bus” follows, a rollicking party song that invites everyone to join the fun, and “boogie woogie all night long.”

“Mama’s Blues” is an eloquent tribute to Zirbes’ mother’s singing: “What else would I do/If I couldn’t keep singing her blues/It’s my way of healing.” Zirbes’ poignant vocals are enhanced by an elegant horn section, making this tender ballad an album highlight. The horns keep flowing, kicking up their heels on the energetic “It Ain’t Always,” another track full of musical fun.

“Man In The Moon” takes a jazzy turn, carried along by Beeks on keys in a lovely, lilting airing from Zirbes. “Without You” pounds home an insistent political message about coming together, framing contemporary politics. “Just Tell Me the Truth” follows, with its bouncy plea for hope and honesty changing the mood to one of healing differences.

“Blessings (are born from tears)” includes Beeks working the Hammond organ behind Zirbes’ passionate blues that soar from whispers to shouting and back again: “Life can hurt you so bad that it’s good….”

Goluban steps up with sparkling harp on the rhythmic “Aces,” a fund-raising trip to the tables in Vegas. The closer is the upbeat theme and music of “Love and Understanding,” with light-hearted keys and lyrical sensibility: “Without love and understanding, we’ll never win.”

Kelly Zirbes and her Los Angeles-based Lot have been creating their music for 30 years now, always with a blues presence, but this time with a stronger focus throughout the album. She’s an outstanding singer, creating moods that flow effortlessly from tough to tender. And it’s easy to say a lot about the Lot, who complete the package with sharp songwriting and music that elevates but never intrudes.   - Jim - The Blues Roadhouse

The album delivers 10 songs of varied blues moods from the early Santana- and Malo-inspired “Just Tell Me The Truth,” packed with elegant horn architecture, to the Texas swing of “Boogie Bus” and the J.B. Lenoir flavored “Love and Understanding.” From slow and dramatic to the faster, swinging tracks, this album covers all the bases. Zirbes lets go on the up-tempo “Aces,” but the most interesting song, and furthest outlier in blues styles, is the fifth track. “Man In The Moon” opens with ’50s noir trumpet, hushed vocals and an acoustic bass solo, finishing beautifully with a cool blue trumpet solo’s incomplete cadence. The horns have been imaginatively orchestrated throughout the album, and the rhythm section is concise and stays inside the compositions without getting too fancy, the vocals are spot on. A little more chaos might have enlivened the album, but for the majority of the blues listening audience the mixing and production for The Blues Remind Me is perfect.  Conrad Warre - The Daily Vault