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7/1/2006
Billy Hutchinson
Produced by Jim Dickinson and recorded in Coldwater, Mississippi. This disc for me has as many memory joggers about other musician’s styles as Ellis’ own. Take “Snakes in the Garden” that takes on an Eric Sardinas country cum blues slide piece, or “Perfect Ones Who Break” that is rather like Eric Clapton on a slow ballad. I have to say that in balance, “God’s Tattoos” is more folk club fare than Americana or blues. When Ellis does a religious piece by Mississippi John Hurt his picking is like a sweet sounding hurdy gurdy, reminiscent of Dave Van Ronk, and his wife’s Joan
Baez-y folksy pipes are a treat too. The first time I heard “Jesus Stole My Heart” I immediately thought of Roy Book Binder, and then when I read this is a tribute to Rev. Gary Davis I gave off a wry smile & knew Ellis had nailed it!
Mind you not everything appeals like the soundscaped instrumental where the ebowed guitar doesn’t really gel. Where things really come together such as the Southern rock take on Gary Davis song, the drum’n’slide opener, and of course the Mississippi John Hurt cover.
William Lee Ellis is a thinker, diverse/eclectic and a nifty picker; with four or five tracks that will appeal to blues listeners.