Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

I was thrilled to receive the first studio Tinsley Ellis CD in three years. As soon as I escaped with the CD, I put it in my car CD player. It was a rainy, cold night and the first tune seemed to match the weather. A hard driving tune, “Say Too Much,” I enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to hear what else he had to offer. The next tune was okay but the third, “Get to the Bottom,” was better. Nice ‘bottom’ to it (no pun intended). It had tough Tinsley-style lyrics, “when you get to the bottom, won’t be nobody by your side’ with some screaming guitar licks.

Next tune was a softer side of Tinsley. It was about how hard it is to break up-even if you know it’s best, “You’re Gonna Thank Me.” I love this tune. Good Lyrics, good beat, and some nice guitar work. “Tell the Truth,” is next. It was a good tune but reminds me too much of “Lie to Me.”

Getting to the heart of the CD (for me), tunes seven and eight are what make this a CD I’ll listen to over and over. First is a kick-you-in-the-teeth tune with lyrics to match, “instead of bringing you home the bacon, he’s tearing her meat off the bone.” Easy Tinsley, Whoa, boy! Hey, this is a tune I can listen to over and over…hot guitar (of course), hard vocals, just a typical tough Ellis tune.

On many CD’s there is one song that pulls me to it over and over. Song eight, “Freeway Soul,” is such a song for me. It is bluesier than the other songs on this CD. First, the beat starts to grab you; then the lyrics take over. It’s about building the courage to leave someone you know is losing their love for you. You just want to get as far away as you can. His lyrics are more original than most heartbreak lyrics that you would hear, (“You’re gonna miss me darlin’ when you lose my lovin’ arms”). There are more tunes. I know that Tinsley’s versatility will reach all music fans on one or more songs. I’ve listened to this CD at least a dozen times in a week and I’m not ready to stop. So grab a copy and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear others’ opinions, too. Email me at d.vecchio@bswpa.org. Let me know what you think.

Thank you,
-- Don V.