Hi Folks.. A review that appeared in this weeks Forte Magazine on my lastest album Twisted Willow.. Each release from this trusty troubadour cements my esteem for his understated talent. I’ve been progressively impressed by his voice (big, rich and welcoming as a hearty beef stew), his songwriting (catchy rolling rhythms and soulful tunes) and the no-bullshit personality delivered in his lyrics. With his sixth album, I’m overwhelmingly struck by his poetry – Twisted Willow is thick with killer turns of phrase. As always, the stories describe Ellis’ latest activities and observations. The road warrior, wearing his heart on rolled up sleeves, is never corny maudlin or clichéd. He describes his ‘Right Hand Woman’ on the opening track: ‘She’s tough / she’s enough’; no back-handed compliment but meant in the noblest possible way. The title track intrigues: ‘A razor blade to slice the buds, should fruit appear to bear / And when I find that perfect Sunday, I will not be there’. ‘Floordrobe’s piling up again…’ he sings in celebration of his beloved but limited finery on ‘Dirty Clothes’ (‘They come when I whistle and they jump right on my back’.) Ellis annually plies his trade across the globe yet maintains a realistic outlook on the biz. ‘The Road Is Not My Friend’ dispenses with any romanticised view of clocking up miles and sleeping rough. He faces up to the regrets of being a dad at a distance, falling foul of small-time crims and other realities of touring life. Elsewhere, his distinctly Australian droll and dry sense of humour punctuates the pensive notes. ‘Too Fat To Do That’ is a toe-tapping confessional from a man who enjoys his tucker. Threatening to ‘lose it’ when thrust into territory wars with a van vendor, he warns ‘Gonna wrap those metal signs of yours around your skinny neck.’ Playing various strings, Ellis recorded and produced the lot with minor assistance from Dave Steel (mandolin, Dobro), daughter Carly (piano) and Paul Robert Burton (mix and master). Folk, blues and country shades combine to form another captivating chapter in the Rory Ellis almanac. I’m yet to decode all the lyrics within; the true poet providing us a challenge to relish beyond first listen. Out now through IND Review By Chris Lambie
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:56:22 +0000
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