Bridget Kelly Band

Dark Spaces

Alpha Sun Records

Bridget Kelly and Tim Fik met in May of 2007 and were married later that year. After producing two Americana albums for Bridget, Tim was convinced she should sing the blues. Thus the Bridget Kelly Band was formed. They recorded their debut album “Back in the Blues” in 2013. In 2015 and 2016 they competed in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge and reached the semi-finals both years. In 2017 the Bridget Kelly Band released their fourth recording “Bone Rattler”. In early 2018 Tim was honored to receive the Blues Foundation’s “Keeping The Blues Alive” (KBA) award for his “efforts in promoting and preserving the Blues”.

Their last album, the well received 2018 “Blues Warrior”, concentrated on more topical songwriting. “Dark Spaces”, the BKB’s sixth album, is an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary songs. The Bridget Kelly Band includes Bridget, all lead vocals; Tim, all guitars; Mark Armbrecht, bass; and either Alex Klaussner, Sonny Rock or Boss Jones, drums. All of the compositions are written by Bridget and Tim.

“Free Me” is about escaping the despair of the blues; something that’s timely in these days of isolation caused by the quagmire of the pandemic. Bridget’s vocal is fueled by Tim’s incendiary guitar. This is one of several songs currently receiving airplay the others being, the smoky title track “Dark Spaces”, and the rockin’ “Find My Way Back Home”.

“Sky’s the Limit”, “In the Spirit (Souls in the River)”, and my favorite “Things About to Change” are positive and uplifting. Two more rockin’ tunes are “Moments” and “Southern Wind”; the later featuring Bridget singing both the lead and backing vocals as Tim and the band nail it.  On “No Use in Tryin’” Bridget laments the loss of her lover; and longs for another on “Someone to Hold On To” with another great solo from Tim.

On “Back Seat Love” Bridget’s sultry vocal will rev you up. On “Sometime You Gotta Dance” she won’t let you sit still.  While on the seven minute slow-boiling blues, “Your Days Are Numbered”, Bridget’s growl will reach a precipice before Tim and the band close out this fine album.

Bridget and Tim are consummate professionals that know their audience. The music of the Bridget Kelly Band will involve you, pick you up, and take you to a better place.

Richard Ludmerer