| In my view, Kelly Lancaster is
the most talented guitarist playing today. I have played with the
best of the best, Mark O’Connor to Tommy Emmanuel, and Kelly far
outshines them all. Every single time Kelly picks up an instrument
and plays, I realize how blessed I am to be able to call him my friend
and to play music with him. I don't judge musicians by how hot they
play lead, which Kelly does with ease. I judge a musician by
how he inspires the other musicians around him to play the best they
have ever played in their life. When Kelly plays guitar with me my
music soars and takes on nuances that I have only achieved playing
with him. Other players like Randy Howard, Dave Peters and many of
my musical friends have all commented likewise. That is just one of the
reasons Kelly is my favorite guitarist. Kelly’s timing, tone, volume
and articulation are remarkable. He truly has a voice of his own.
Even though he can play in any style he chooses, he always brings
a freshness that is completely unique.
James McKinney, Banjoist
-- Tennessee
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| Kelly Lancaster is a National Treasure!
His incredible execution on both guitar and mandolin can and does enhance
all forms of music one hears at live performances around the world from
jazz to bluegrass to classical to gospel, easy-listening, rhythm and blues,
oldies but goodies--you name it. If you are one of the fortunate few that
has the opportunity to play with Kelly, you know that his interpretation
of the piece will be appropriate, uniquely enjoyable, and simply fantastic.
As a fellow musician and community music leader I assure you that we are
all impatiently awaiting Kelly's next CD venture. Our copies of High
Lonesome Gypsy are worn thin.
Betty Robertson
President, Bay Area Bluegrass Association |
| With all the attention of the International
Olympic Committee these days given to steroid scandals, someone should
have tested Kelly Lancaster. I mean, how else to account for his blazing
speed all over "High Lonesome Gypsy?" If you like fast flatpicking, this
CD should fit nicely on your shelf. According to the liner notes, most
of this stuff was spontaneous in the studio - no real rehearsing, and most
songs were laid down in one or two takes. Lancaster is obviously well-versed
in this musical vocabulary. Kelly plays both guitar and mandolin on the
disk, with a mix of traditional bluegrass (the "High Lonesome" part), and
Django-influenced swing (the "Gypsy" part). Randy Powell and Vladimir Kotsiouruba
bring their considerable talents to the strings. Standards come out sounding
not- so-standard, with quick as light accents on "Jerusalem Ridge", and
some great cross-picking on "Arkansas Traveler," while he uses both cross-picking
and single note runs on Drowsie Maggie." ! When Kelly plays Django, like
on "Minor Swing", he tears it up, flowing from burning chords to flaming
arpeggios, while Kotsiouruba channels Stephane Grappelli. That Hot Club
of France sound is captured on the charming waltz "Pigalle," and the swinging
"Sheik of Araby." "Kolomeike" (Hot Dishes) transports us to 19th-century
Russia with some great interplay between Lancaster's mandolin and Kotsiouruba's
wailing violin. This was my personal favorite from the CD. A couple of
vocal tunes make it on to the disk with Brian Wunder handling vocals. Several
cuts use vintage Martin guitar, which adds a great sound to the recording.
I expect Kelly Lancaster will start branching out more from his native
Texas in days to come as more listeners like this High Lonesome Gypsy sound.
Minor 7th Webzine
review
of "High Lonesome Gypsy," August 2004
|
| [Vassar] Clements’ fiddling is
fine, as always, but the major find here may be Lancaster, who plays guitar
like an American Django Reinhardt. On ‘Scrapple,’ the David Grisman standard
‘Dawgma’ and the guitar-banjo duet of ‘Turkey in The Straw,’ Lancaster
shows an utterly unique and individual style that will leave guitarists
shaking their heads in disbelief. His powerhouse, driving style incorporates
explosive flurries of notes, frequent bends, innovative syncopation and
a sense ofharmonic intervals similar to mandolinist Andy Statman’s to create
an overpowering presence here, making him the perfect foil for McKinney’s
creative expressions. In time, Lancaster could eventually be as influential
a flatpicking guitarist as Clarence White or Tony Rice.
Bluegrass Unlimited
review of James McKinney's "Mind Over Banjo"
|
| Simply one of the most talented
guitar virtuoso pickers in Houston or anywhere.
Rick Gardner, Pickin'
& Swingin' Calendar 7/13/0
|
| As someone who plays the guitar
-- at least I thought I did until I heard Kelly Lancaster play-- it is
hard to listen to his work with anything other than awe. Not only
is he the fastest and cleanest I may have ever heard, but his styles and
interests are diverse and complementary. He isn't about speed, or
trying to impress, he's about music, and trying to express.
James W. Huston, Author
-- San Diego, California
|
| From the fast and furious feel
of old time Bluegrass to the timeless tones of the traditional arrangements,
this recording came to life using an impressive collection of old and new
Martin guitars. Most tracks are spontaneously recorded in one or
two takes.
from review of "High
Lonesome Gypsy"
in The Sounding Board, Vol. 17, July 2004 (The Official Newsletter of the Martin Guitar Company) |
| I am still reeling from the release
party and I've been telling everyone I see about Kelly, the CD and the
party. It was absolutely incredible. Kelly in the center, playing at his
finest, surrounded by an incredible array of talented musicians, all building
on each other's talents and styles. I would like to get at least one signed
copy of the CD and three more copies.
R. Wheeler -- Chicago
|
| I only THOUGHT that I knew how
good Kelly was. The performance was a jaw dropper. The only
person I have ever heard who was that fast and technically sound was Chet
Adkins. Kelly's pick hand was moving so fast that it was a blurrrrrr
-- and I was sitting up close to the front. He is terrific.
His CD is really worth the buy. Thank you, Kelly, for a great experience
and for autographing my CD.
P. Frye -- Houston
|
| This is really great material and
we will be playing a lot more of it, as it generated a lot of calls into
the station.
Bob & Betty Dunn
"Nuttin' but Bluegrass" WDBX 91.1 FM, Carbondale, IL |
| Kelly's style, talent and energy
are truly amazing. He shines with any instrument he plays.
Everyone on the stage was in top form. The music infused the audience,
creating a wonderful synergy between everyone there. A truly magical
evening!
L. Koym -- Houston
|
| Arguably Houston's top guitar player
(also plays mandolin, bouzouki, balalaika, bass and anything with strings)
. . . highly recommended.
Rick Gardner
January 2004 Calendar of Events http://www.livefromtexas.com/events.htm |
| As I sat in Ovations and listened
to Kelly Lancaster play, I realized with a certainty that this man is a
credible musical genius and can be compared to none. His style is all his
own, completely imaginative and original, combined in his own unique way
to give the world the essence that is Kelly. From high-speed strumming
to the intricate flat-picking, all that he does seems infused with his
passion, for music, for life, for all that he loves. That night, there
was a constant glow coming from the stage, a brilliant light that flowed
directly from his heart into the hearts of all those who listened. Without
a doubt, Kelly’s CD, High Lonesome Gypsy, is a valuable contribution to
the music industry. Kelly ~ Keep reaching for those stars… they’re yours
for the taking. Congratulations on your CD, and may there be many more
to come.
P. Bawa -- Houston
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Home
A Brief
Bio: Kelly's Musical Life
Sound
Clips from Kelly's new CD, "High Lonesome Gypsy"
Additional
sound clips
Book Performances
or Schedule Lessons
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