Kelly Joe Phelps’ Thursday night show began an hour late — the Maintenance Shop blames a certain major airline for delaying the artist’s guitars in Colorado. Like the sign said, a musician just isn’t anything without his instrument.

But Phelps proved that he certainly was worth waiting for.

He had such a deep connection to his guitars during the night that the crowd was more than pleased to wait for the start.

Phelps’ first song of the night had the mellow, contemplative blues feel with which he has made his name and which is representative of his latest album, “Shine Eyed Mister Zen.”

Phelps worked his magic as he finger-picked his two acoustic guitars, one which he played slide with great feel, drawing a bemoaned and warm sound from each stroke.

His mellow vocals blanketed sweetly over the music of the night’s first two tunes, both of which were hauntingly reminiscent of “Golden Heart” era Mark Knopfler.

The first couple of songs were about girls and remembering past loves. He then began a warm connection with the crowd and asked if he could do a third in the same spirit.

“Piece by Piece” was completely from the heart, each chord closely scrutinized by Phelps and resulting in a slow boogie feel.

He hummed and moaned many of his bridges in slightly off-key rasps, without detracting from the overall feel, much like Keith Jarrett. His lyrics about sitting waiting in a rocking chair for the world were deeply contemplative.

The common theme of his songs proved to be sensual treatments of domestic issues, family struggles and lost loves.

His sophisticated lyrics dealt with leaving but returning home someday, creating a double sense of despair and hope.

Phelps maintained a humorous air throughout the show by saying, “That’s a lot of song for ya, eh? Can only afford about one of them a night.”

His wit continued as he sang about finding himself in a dream about a relationship he couldn’t get out of and wanting to scream, but being unable.

The artist demonstrated what this would look like, much to the approval and cheers of the crowd, and finally commented sarcastically about the happy theme of all of his songs.

Through his deftness at the guitar and the mellow way in which he forces you to reflect on his music, Kelly Joe Phelps shows that he is not a musician to be taken lightly.