Purists may cringe, but it's arguable that the fusion of blues and rock is simply the natural and inevitable result of evolution. But the question of just where the blues ends and rock takes over is just as inevitable. By all but the most liberal definition, Tinsley Ellis seems to have left the blues entirely behind with The Hard Way, his sophomore outing on Telarc.
Ellis wastes no time letting listeners know what to expect with the high-octane "Still In The Game" that kicks things off. Searing guitar is supported by a dense arrangement that includes organ (courtesy of Kevin McKendree, who seems to be popping up everywhere these days), rhythm guitars, tambourine, and background vocals. "Let Him Down Easy," with busy percussion, starts out with just a little less intensity but the tune builds to a frenetic climax with Ellis' guitar once again in overdrive. After only two tunes, "Me Without You" provides a welcome respite, with a smooth groove and fine organ work that shows just why so many artists seek McKendree out. "I'll Get Over You" is much the same, though here it's Ellis' guitar, with an effect just shy of wah-wah (I'll leave it to the technicians to figure out how he gets that sound) front and center. ""And It Hurts" rides a N'Awlins style groove that owes much to Earl King's immortal "Come On," but here Ellis employs acoustic guitar to excellent effect. "La La Land" is another mid-tempo exercise that showcases Ellis' fascination with effects. The structure may be twelve-bar, but I'd guess few would call this a blues tune if only because of the distorted tone and unusual theme.
And so it goes. "My Love's the Medicine" has a Memphis feel with nice horns propping things up in that uniquely soulful way. "Fountain Of Youth" is a bit of a surprise, an almost gentle run through a Jimmy-Reed style shuffle with guest Sean Costello forgoing his familiar guitar for a rare and eminently satisfying appearance on harmonica. That's about as close as it gets to pure blues, though; "Love Bomb," the disc's only instrumental, is a funky workout enlivened with guitar work that combines melody with snarling ferocity. "Her Other Man" sees Ellis going acoustic again for a rootsy solo with only foot stomps for accompaniment. "12 Pack Poet," however, is a thudding exercise in distorted overkill, with both guitar and vocal heavily distorted. Things wrap up with the aptly titled "The Last Song," giving Ellis a chance to flex his considerable muscle with some soaring leads in the very best blues-rock tradition.
Ellis wrote all the tunes here, a couple with the assistance of renaissance soul man Jon Tiven. The list of contributors is lengthy, with the best-known perhaps Richie Hayward (drummer and co-founder of Little Feat) and). It may be telling that the bulk of the bass chores are handled by someone who goes by the name "The Evil One" (no, really!). With Telarc's typical attention to detail, everything's done with care, from performances to production to packaging. Ellis is a superior guitarist, and while his gruff vocals rarely rise above serviceable, he's a whole lot better than many who mine this territory.
If it's straight blues you're looking for, this outing may fall a little short on content. Those whose tastes run to rock with a blue background, though, will find this a fine effort by a guitarist with a unique voice.
Telarc Records
23307 Commerce Park Road, Cleveland, OH 44122 USA
Web: www.telarc.com
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by John R. Taylor, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
We build websites