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Joseph Spence

by the KLC Staff

We here at the Key Lime Cafe first discovered Joseph Spence on a Rykodisc holiday collection called "Xmas Marks The Spot." It featured Joseph doing his rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." "Is this guy drunk?" was the first question a friend asked. Indeed, if one listens quickly, Spence's mumbling, scat style almost sounds completely incoherent. But upon closer listen, you start to realize that even whem mumbling over his unorthodox guitar playing, Spence has a musical style and command of both his voice and instrument that are amazing.

Perhaps that's the appeal of the inimitiable Bahamian stonemason, for whom recording was a sporadic career - he manages to be so good at sounding like a hack, and yet manages to convey so much. Guaranteed, you'll either love his unique style or hate it, but you'll never forget it.