Forty Years On - A Recollection

“A timely celebration of the life and musical times of a true blues man...”

• Features long-time Blues Band collaborators Tom McGuinness, Gary Fletcher and Hughie Flint alongside Lou Stonebridge, Pick Withers (Dire Straits) and Christine Collister
• 40-page memorabilia-laden booklet includes liner notes by Chris Welch, an in-depth interview  with Dave Kelly and a foreword by Blues authority and long-time Kelly fan Roy Bainton
• 55 superbly remastered recordings - 23 previously unreleased - chart his career as a songwriter and performer
• 3CD boxed set spanning 1979-2015 compiled in conjunction with the ever-popular British Blues  guitarist/singer
• Includes album tracks, live performances & other hard-to-find recordings from Kelly's extensive back catalogue

When the British Blues Boom exploded in the late 60s it brought to fame such now legendary names as Eric Clapton, Peter Green and John Mayall. But there were many other fine musicians creating great music and establishing their own careers in bands and on record. One of the most important performers was Dave Kelly, a young, multi-talented London-born slide guitarist, singer, composer and bandleader. Dave first came to fame with the John Dummer Blues Band and went on play with Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness in the highly successful Blues Band, while leading a parallel life with his own outfit the Dave Kelly Band. Together with his sister, the late Jo Ann Kelly, he’d quickly become known as a first-class exponent of the slide guitar and gifted blues vocalist style, influenced by his American blues idols such as his friend and touring partner Howlin’ Wolf. Dave has performed in many different styles of blues, rock and soul as can be heard on this superb 3CD collection of his best work. 40 Years On comprises some 55 richly satisfying tracks, some taken from studio albums as well as exciting live performances. CD 1, All My Own Work, has original numbers co-written with Tom McGuinness, such as ‘Straight Line (To My Heart)’ and ‘Don’tcha Hang Up The Phone’, and heartfelt Kelly originals like ‘Come Kiss Me Love’ and ‘Love Is A Compromise.’ CD 2, Between The Covers, has Dave launching into versions of his favourite songs notably ‘Return To Sender’, ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down’ and ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.’ The final disc, Alive And Kicking, is just that with live cuts from European tours including a steaming ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ and an extended jam on ‘Grits Ain’t Groceries.’ With an appreciative foreword by long-time fan Roy Bainton and extensive liner notes by Repertoire’s Chris Welch, here is a timely celebration of the life and musical times of a true blues man. As Roy says: ‘Here’s all the great music you need.’