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Scott Ellison: Elevator Man
ByEllison illustrates that the universe of contemporary blues, like the physical universe, continues to expand outward in an accelerated fashion. Ellison addresses his blues, playing straight standard guitar and slide guitar. His style ranges from the stark Louisiana boogie of "Holler for Help" to the Memphis soul Stew of "Behind That Smile" replete with his own version of the Raylettes performing background vocals. Ellison espouses his "My Little Sheba" like a dirty joke between friends while "Jesus Loves Me" screams high mercy for his blues sins.
Ellison is not without a sense of humor. "Fishsticks and Jelly" makes me wonder if Ellison did not do some time in an Oklahoma Catholic school, where the nuns would have damn sure taught him the meaning of the blues. This is his acoustic offering, overlaid with a tasty electric slide guitar that recalls the Rolling Stones' arrangement of Mississippi Fred McDowall's "You Gotta Move" from Sticky Fingers (Rolling Stones, 1971). Pound for pound, Ellison brings the blues funk to the forefront, playing a varied antipasti of our indigenous music.
Track Listing
Holler for Help; Arlene’ Behind that Smile; Fishsticks and Jelly; elevator Man; Jesus Loves Me (Baby Why don’t You?); School Girl; Put You Down; Hit it, Get it and Go; Wear Out Your Welcome; I Thought I’s Be Gone; My Little Sheba; She’s on My Trail.
Personnel
Scott Ellison: guitars, bass vocals; Charles Tuberville: guitars, bass, vocals; Jon Parris: bass (3, 5, 9); Gary Gilmore: bass (6, 10, 13); Jamie Oldaker: drums (6, 10); Robbie Armstrong: drums (3, 5, 9); Chuck Blackwell: drums (7); Marcy Levy: background vocals; Jimmy Markham: harmonica (2, 9, 13).
Album information
Title: Elevator Man | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced