NEW YORK: Tinsley Ellis CD Review - by J. Blake
Posted on 11/03/2009 by J. Blake
Tinsley Ellis has been compared to some of the blues’ heaviest hitters and has shared the stage and studio with the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks…to name a few. His latest release for Alligator Records, SPEAK NO EVIL, finds Ellis attacking the album’s 12 original tracks with the same “rock power and blues feeling” that has made him a driving force in the American blues community for the past 20 years.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that every track on this latest release is a gem. Ellis’ songwriting ability isn’t quite as strong as his musicianship, but his spot-on ferocious guitar playing more than makes up for any of the album’s weaker compositions. His playing-style has often been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan, but listeners of SPEAK NO EVIL will easily spot a menagerie of influences that vary from Cream-era Clapton and Hendrix to Robin Trower and Buddy Guy. Ellis manages to work in stylistic tributes throughout the entire CD without ever seeming like he is blatantly stealing from his predecessors and in the process crafts a fun and completely entertaining listening experience.
Music fans hungry for more traditional and authentic “electric blues” will probably not find what they are looking for with this CD, but for those that have acquired a taste for the guitar-driven blues-rock that seems to have become overly abundant in recent years, SPEAK NO EVIL is definitely an album that is worth a listen.
Highlights include the Buddy Guy-infused title track, the throbbing high-voltage blues groove of The Other Side, the psychedelic-driven Amanda and album’s upbeat and adequately titled closing track, Rockslide.
*If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy: Tinsley Ellis Interview
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that every track on this latest release is a gem. Ellis’ songwriting ability isn’t quite as strong as his musicianship, but his spot-on ferocious guitar playing more than makes up for any of the album’s weaker compositions. His playing-style has often been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan, but listeners of SPEAK NO EVIL will easily spot a menagerie of influences that vary from Cream-era Clapton and Hendrix to Robin Trower and Buddy Guy. Ellis manages to work in stylistic tributes throughout the entire CD without ever seeming like he is blatantly stealing from his predecessors and in the process crafts a fun and completely entertaining listening experience.
Music fans hungry for more traditional and authentic “electric blues” will probably not find what they are looking for with this CD, but for those that have acquired a taste for the guitar-driven blues-rock that seems to have become overly abundant in recent years, SPEAK NO EVIL is definitely an album that is worth a listen.
Highlights include the Buddy Guy-infused title track, the throbbing high-voltage blues groove of The Other Side, the psychedelic-driven Amanda and album’s upbeat and adequately titled closing track, Rockslide.
*If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy: Tinsley Ellis Interview
Copyright © 2009 - J. Blake. All Rights Reserved
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Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake
Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
Wed: National Correspondent - Monica Yasher
Monica is our executive director and artist interview specialist. You can catch Monica singing the blues around Pittsburgh or working on some country music songs in Nashville.
Thurs: Washington, DC Correspondent - Virginiabluesman
Geraldo offers inteviews and reviews. You may have seen him at an Ana Popovic concert or conversed with him on her websites, as he offers administrative support with her music.
Fri: Northeast Photographer - Nelson Onofre
Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
And of course, we will surprise you sometimes!