10/1/2006

Eric C. Shoaf

Talk about your musical upbringing! William Lee Ellis' godfather was none other then Bill Monroe, and his father was member of Monroe's Blue Grass Boys. So, Ellis was immersed in music from an early age, then received degrees in musical performance while studying classical guitar. But his discovery of blues, and the music of Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, and Lonnie Johnson had a profound influence.

Specifically, Ellis learned to combine fingerpicking with his classical-guitar background, and his father's bluegrass influence. The result is a hybrid that's familiar and original. He has released several CDs, but his latest is the most original yet, and has the most down-home flavor.

Ellis wrote or co-wrote all the music on his new album, and is accompanied by acoustic bass and drums on most cuts. The work is produced by rock music veteran Jim Dickinson, who also contributed keyboards. Stylistically, the listener can hear the influences, from Davis to modern interpreters like Jorma Kaukonen.

Ellis has largely flown under the radar, but just may break out with this release.