9/1/2006

John Morthland

A classically trained devotee of bluesman Rev. Gary Davis' fingerpicking style, and the godson of Bill Monroe (for whom his father played banjo), William Lee Ellis has developed a singular acoustic guitar style that draws on all of the above and more. Working with bassist Amy LaVere, drummer Paul Taylor, and various guests, Ellis plays music that is equal parts pre-war blues and gospel, flavored by Appalachian country; but on a mysterioso instrumental such as "When Leadbelly Walked The River Like Christ", he's off on a subgenre of his own creation. And he's not above playing a rhumba that injects musical motifs from Buenos Aires and Marrakech on the title song. Ellis applies blues and gospel imagery to strictly contemporary notions, which helps keep him from descending into hoary old revivalism. There's also a fair amount of social philosophy in hi lyrics, but it comes from hard earned wisdom and personal experience; he's not pushing an agenda. His melodic vocals are always heartfelt, if occasionally a bit thin. He's best on the slide showcases "Snakes In My Garden" and "Four Horses", but is also arresting when he's fingerpicking fast and clean. Though also gentle and reflective, this is acoustic music with real guts.