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7/1/2006
Arthur Shuey
His guitar speaks back to him... like a burning bush. God turns up pervasively, but as an inspiration rather than a subject. Is that difference clear? They're not songs about faith, but songs written to express the beauty of visions Mr. Ellis has had, and he happens to express himself with acoustic guitar in a powerful acoustic blues style rooted both in East Texas and the Piedmont, with strong seasoning hints of Scotch Irish hill music. It's a very thoughtful record, a theme record, with the soft, introverted voice of a sensitive man sharing important secrets about Life and Beauty with his lucky listeners.
The titles say a lot: "Snakes In My Garden", "God's Tattoos", "When Leadbelly Walked the River Like Christ", "Search My Heart", "Four Horses", "Perfect Ones Who Break", "The Call", "Cold and Weary", "Here I Am, Lord Send Me", "Jesus Stole My Heart", "The Missing Moon and Stars", and "Dust Will Write My Name".