Veteran blues man Tinsley Ellis has come out with a great new CD entitled ‘The Hard Way’. It’s a stimulating 54 minutes of pure blues pleasure, beginning with the rousing “Still In The Game”. Tinsley lets us know in no uncertain terms that he’s ‘still in the game’ – the game of musical entertainment, that is! The vital energy contained in the instrumentals and vocals in this opening number is astounding!
Things slow down a bit with “Let Him Down Easy”; but Tinsley’s incredible guitar soloing is a pure joy to listen to – like it could go on forever – and in the imagination, it can pleasurably seem to. Richie (Little Feat founder) Hayward’s drumming on “Let Him …” rocks, and helps send Tinsley’s scorching guitar licks into blues orbit. :”Me Without You” is a romantic ballad sung with true conviction by Tinsley, and given full percussive support from Hayward’s drum kit. Kevin McKendree’s sweet organ riffs permeate here and there – while Tinsley treats us to some highly emotional guitar soloing. His lamenting vocals cry out, “You’ve called off the wedding three times” -- summing up the heartbreak in this tune quite well. Ellis’ crying guitar soloing which follows, adds credence to this sorrowful blues lament.
“I’ll Get Over You” is a sweet romantic blues ballad, with heartwarming instrumentals, and background vocals supporting Tinsley’s declaration that “I’ll get over you, somehow, some way.” Ellis’ rhythm guitar playing makes good use of wa-wa pedal ‘magic’, to convey his feelings on the matter.
“And It Hurts” is an upbeat rockin’ party tune, that’s guaranteed to fill dance floors anywhere it’s heard. Tinsley’s vocals scream out the ‘hurt’, while his band rocks it up real good. “La La Land” follows … which could also be called ‘wa wa land’, since it has plenty of the familiar guitar foot pedal effects permeating Tinsley’s superb guitar creativity. This is very much a laid back ‘veg’ tune that’s a welcome release after any strenuous activity. Hayward’s pulsating drumming adds strength to Tinsley’s insightfully melodic lead guitar riffs. Ellis’ gently flowing vocals let us know, “When you’re living in a ‘La La’ land, all the fantasies are close at hand.” Tinsley tells us he “has the cure for a heartache” in the rough blues rocker, “My Love’s the Medicine.”
“Fountain of Youth” is a beautiful, laid back medium tempo blues creation, featuring Sean Costello’s driving harp blowing, and Hayward’s heavy duty skins technique. Tinsley’s superb story-telling vocals ask, “What am I supposed to do, when they take my fountain away?” Some of Costello’s awesome harp playing answers this perennial question with rousing gusto. “Love Bomb” which follows, is a stimulating jazz influenced instrumental, that comes on strong and keeps up the pace all the way through. Tinsley’s guitar mastery shines on this one, as does Hayward’s all out emphatic drumming.
“Pack Poet” is a quintessential blues rocker that defines the genre! The power contained in the instrumentals and vocals, can jar the soul, and get the adrenalin rebbed up real good! Tinsley’s scorching leads and rhythm guitar work, makes known this guitar blues icon as one of the finest talents we’ll ever be lucky enough to hear play and sing his own particular brand of ‘blues muse’ for our auditory senses to enjoy. This tune has ‘winner’ stamped all over it!
Some introspective guitar soloing is found in the simply titled “Last Song”. A medium tempo blues masterpiece -- this tune features Tinsley’s strong vocals, supported all the way by an equal measure of Hayward’s stimulating drumming. Tinsley’s guitar cries the blues, while his vocals tell their sorry story with heartfelt conviction. His reluctant vocals declare, “It’s the last love song I’m gonna write about you and me!” – sorrow of the worst kind, to say the least – and very true to life. Solace is found in Tinsley’s unbelievably imaginative and thoroughly introspective guitar soloing which follows – a truly soulful escape from life’s terrible heartbreak. The soul screams forth in every note of the very fine conclusion to this extremely enjoyable Tinsley Ellis CD, ‘The Hard Way’.
I would recommend this CD to all blues fans desirous of listening to incredible guitar mastery at it’s very best. Tinsley Ellis’ superb guitar genius -- coupled with the finest vocals and instrumentals around -- ensures that ‘Hard Way’ will in no way be a disappointment in the slightest!
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