Kelley Stoltz @ King Tuts
too polite, constrained and timid: no dazzling solos, no profound insights into life
| 13 Oct 2006
Even if Kelley Stoltz has a certain ramshackle charm, and his keyboards recall a warm 1970s' sweetness, his performance lacks passion, bite or enthusiasm. Alternating between acoustic guitar and electric piano, his songs are short, amiable and thoughtful, and his band provides competent support. But he never evokes anything profound or emotive - his slice of life stories are lost in a murky mix and the drums fail to hurry along his ambling meditations.
Aside from a few desultory experiments on the electric guitar, Stoltz's musicians fail to challenge or amaze, and he is far too content to ride on the goodwill of his small audience. The set is too polite, constrained and timid: no dazzling solos, no profound insights into life, a mere public recital of songs that can be heard on his albums. This was a disappointing set from an artist who appears unwilling to challenge himself or his audience. [Gareth K Vile]
Aside from a few desultory experiments on the electric guitar, Stoltz's musicians fail to challenge or amaze, and he is far too content to ride on the goodwill of his small audience. The set is too polite, constrained and timid: no dazzling solos, no profound insights into life, a mere public recital of songs that can be heard on his albums. This was a disappointing set from an artist who appears unwilling to challenge himself or his audience. [Gareth K Vile]