Review: Shawn Kellerman ‘Kell’s Kitchen’

Review: Shawn Kellerman ‘Kell’s Kitchen’

By Hal Horowitz

Shawn Kellerman is throwing a party, and he wants you to join. Who’s in?

The Kitchener, Ontario born and raised singer/songwriter and roaring guitarist is best known as a supporting player for soul/blues/funk acts such as Mel Brown, Bobby Rush, and the late Lucky Peterson, the latter of whom he spent eight years with on the road. All were mentors, helping Kellerman refine his skills as not just a guitarist, but a performer and songwriter. These roots veterans knew how to bash out a great time wherever they played, from the smallest Chitlin’ Circuit joint to larger auditoriums. Regardless of the makeup of the audience, no one left those gigs without a joyful grin plastered on their face.

Kellerman paid close attention and on this, his third full length and first in 15 years, he displays what he absorbed from these guys, and others, during his decades touring with them to 46 different countries.

He lays it out on the opening rollicking funk/blues as soulful background singers shimmy and shake, inviting us to “party with the SKB.” It’s not just the perfect way to kick off these studio delights, but likely his opening song for every concert going forward. That’s the blueprint for the rest of this hour-long, 14 track set, guaranteed to enliven any shindig.

From the P-Funk meets Johnny “Guitar” Watson bubbling groove of “Show Me What You Got,” to the horn powered jazz-fusion of “JIG JIGGERTY” and the frisky, rugged Chicago shuffle “Mac & Cheese” featuring soul shouter ZOOM (the two also recorded an entire album together), Kell’s Kitchen is one helluva fun time. Add Kellerman’s sizzling leads and guest Jason Ricci’s award winning harmonica (on three songs), and strap in for a non-stop celebration you’ll want to share with anyone who will listen.

Bobby Rush, who knows about pitching some serious throw-down vibes, stops by to add vocals to the driving, appropriately titled “We Are Blues Men.” Here the duo trades verses and solos (Rush on harmonica) and seems to be having as much fun as they shared together on the road. Lucky Peterson also makes an appearance (on B3) for a rousing closing cover of Little Milton’s “Living Off the Love You Give.” But since he passed in 2020 (at just 55), it shows how long some of these songs have been in the can, waiting to be unleashed.

Regardless, now that they’re here let’s shake our tail-feathers to the pulsating Southern boogie of “In the World of Blues,” an appreciation of love and unity in the inclusive blues genre, enlivened by a searing Kellerman slide solo. When the vibe kicks into a rowdy slow tempo for “Together,” the temperature stays boiling with a Jeff Beck worthy lead. He rocks out on a sexed-up “Hard Man to Please” (“so you better roll up your sleeves”) as Ricci blows so hard and furious it sounds like his harmonica is bursting into flames, until the tempo abruptly shifts to acoustic Delta blues, then back again. The following “Bad Mamma Jamma,” is a solid chunk of tough funky blues that’ll rattle your pipes.

Kellerman vocals could be considered serviceable. Yet the unadulterated joy and enthusiasm that exudes from these songs (some feature others sharing the mic) overrides most vocal limitations.

It has taken a while to appear, but hopefully this is the start of a more consistent solo career for a veteran musician who cooks up a frothy concoction in his kitchen and wants you to share in the festivities.

Pre-order the album Kell’s Kitchen HERE 

“Jig Jiggity” Preview