"take a unique approach on first CD
by Jay Miller (Patriot Ledger: February 10, 2000)

   The Part Time Lovers, an r&b band led by Brian Kelley, has just released its first CD, a 13-song album that features many rhythm and blues standards performed with new slants and added verve.
"We all love different styles," said Kelley in an interview this week, "but this is a classic style that's also an absolute ball to play."
The CD contains such r&b chestnuts as "Summertime," "Knock on Wood" and "What's Going On?" But if many of the tunes are familiar to music fans, the septet, augmented to a nonet on the disk, informs them with its own approach. For example, BB King's tour-de-force, "The Thrill is Gone," is turned into a showcase for Herman Johnson's visceral tenor sax.
It's tricky to try and re-interpret favorite tunes, and plenty of cover bands have crashed and burned attempting this material. So, how do the Lover's do it?
"Part Time Lovers sounds like a band, not just a bunch of guys trying to b.s. their way through the material," Kelley said. "The music tends to affect you by osmosis, I think, and how it works on everyone of us brings out the sound we get. We have enough distinctive musical personalities in this band to bring a fresh approach to these songs.
Kelley said the album, recorded at Raynham's Dobo Studios is almost totally first takes with no overdubs.
"We did no editing, because we mainly wanted a product that represents the way we play in clubs. The main thing for us is the feel and the groove, and the pleasure we get from playing this music. This is a really easy music in which to communicate, and when you can do it with guys this capable, you get some great stuff happening."
The PTL lineup has been more or less stable for 5 years now, with Johnson the latest addition. The core, and longest tenured members are Kelley, bassist Cole Grinnell of Weymouth, vocalist Steve Mathews, pianist/guitarist Bob West, and saxophonist Barry Fleischer. On the album West's brother Tom West - on hiatus from the Susan Tedeschi band - added organ. (All of the other musicians live in the Boston area.)
"We needed some extra help for the record to be able to avoid any overdubs," Kelley pointed out. "We also try to use Herman as the second horn whenever possible on live dates."
"There are just two originals on this record, because we thought that we needed a product out there, and recording a set of covers was the quickest way to accomplish that," Kelley admitted. "We intend to focus entirely on originals on our next album."
By the way the Brian Kelley jazz quartet just started a regular residency every Tuesday at the Yard Rock in Quincy.
An important part of the Part Time Lovers' appeal is the prowess of Steve Matthews, the engaging front man from Malden.
"In my opinion, Steve is one of the strongest singers around," Kelley said. "He brings a certain energy to this band that elevates our music. Anyone who's heard Steve sing knows he brings a powerful emotional component with him, and that inspires the rest of us to really dig into these tunes. And Steve's got one of the most outgoing personalities I've ever encountered, and it translates on stage; he's a great front man."
Kelley said the new CD, out just a month, has already opened many doors. "The CD has really cut through a lot of stuff, booking wise," he said. "Clubs are now calling me, and that's a big help."