After seven gorgeous albums filled with haunting melodies and shadowy lyrics, guitar master Kelly Joe Phelps turns in his first all-solo instrumental album. Though he’s long been an adventurous player, Western Bell is like nothing else in the man’s body of work, and not just because of the lack of vocals. Performed on six- and 12-string guitar as well as lap-slide, these 11 songs feature strange tunings, dissonant notes, and abstract progressions, and many of them sound like they were improvised on the spot. The entire album burns with a slow intensity and rugged beauty that will please those who appreciate the work of John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Bill Frisell, and Ry Cooder. Some of the songs, like “Blowing Dust 40 Miles,” are a bit farther out, while others, such as “Hometown With Melody,” “Hattie’s Hat,” and “East to Kansas” are brilliant blasts of off-kilter country folk. It’s fair to say that this release is not for everyone — even some of Phelps’ longtime fans may find it baffling — but there is much to savor here. Western Bell is a captivating and moving release from an earthy, raw, and uniquely talented guitarist.