CD Review
    Scott Ellison
    Cold Hard Cash
    (Burnside Records © 2001)
    by Robert Murphy
    Review date: December 2001
    1999 KBA Award Winner
    Achievement for Blues on the Internet
    Presented by the Blues Foundation
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    blues picture This is a well-produced blues CD similar in style to something that Robert Cray or Tinsley Ellis might put out. The blues are sometimes a little bit rockin, but also a bit laid back most of the time.

    "Up In Flames" is a medium tempo blues shuffle. "Cold Hard Cash", the title track is a straight-ahead rocker, which could be described as a Chuck Berry tune updated to the 90's. "I Wish I Knew" is a Midwest style blues with horns. "She Works For Me" is another song is a song that reminds me of a Robert Cray or Tinsley Ellis style. It's got plenty of blues licks and sounds like it would be song that would work great in just about any blues club. "Let's Think Twice" is a medium tempo blues. "Jenny's In Love" reminds me a bit of Jimmy Thackery in vocal style but with smoother vocals. "Love Ran Out" reminds me a bit of something you might hear in a contemporary church service. I think it's the organ and choir style vocals in the chorus.

    If you like contemporary blues artists similar to Robert Cray, Tinsley Ellis or styles of music similar to that, then you should like this CD. The vocals and musicianship are good and the production is excellent. If you like blues guitar, there's enough here to satisfy that craving even though I wouldn't describe this as a guitar CD. It's songwriters CD although I think that the songs presented here would work better in a live situation. The only thing that prevents this CD from getting four stars is that there aren't any songs that just reach out and grab your throat for attention. I give it three stars out of five.

    www.burnsiderecords.com
    E-mail: music@burnsiderecords.com

    Scott Ellison - lead vocals, guitars
    Mike Turner - rhythm guitar
    Alan Mirikitani - baritone guitar
    Boyd Lefan - Bass
    Armando Compea'n - bass
    Mike Thompson - piano and B-e Organ
    Jim Pugh - B-3 Organ

    Murf
    E-mail murf01@bellsouth.net
    http://personal.mco.bellsouth.net/~murf01/

    This review is copyright © 2001 by Robert Murphy, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.

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    E-mail gif Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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    Copyright © 2001 Ray M. Stiles
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.