SCOTT ELLISON

Ice Storm

Earwig Records

By  Karen  Brault

Scott Ellison is becoming a highly acclaimed blues artist of our day. And for good reason. Ellison’s latest CD Ice Storm has captured his most outstanding features as a blues-rock artist and musician/songwriter. Ellison shines bright on Ice Storm and draws the listener in with his powerful talents and strong vocal attributes that lay hold of the excellence and creativity in his original songs. Ellison shares with the listener a deep, soulful blues experience that showcases his multi-dimensional  talents on this great CD.

Scott Ellison kicks off this CD with “Steamin,” a classy little number that is so right for its name. Classic, walking bass lines and a punctuating beat set the scene with a wicked blues strut feel. “Steamin” kicks in with a rock-blues guitar style that is tough with texture and attitude. Seasoned with the smart growl of a Hammond B-3 organ and topped with Ellison’s dynamic vocals, this song is hot!

“Big Blues Car” takes a ride with a fat funky groove and features a full horn section that is the backbone of this song. The deeply expressive lead guitar melts over this tune with long sustained notes that bend with a soulful cry. A funky rhythm guitar and bass line, along with a Hammond organ and keyboard sampling, adds stylistic attitude and variety.  Ellison’s raspy vocals have an authoritative grip which is contrasted by the polished, harmonized back-up vocals of Bobbi Davis and Linda Jackson.

“Ice Storm” is the title track of this excellent CD, which takes the listener into the style of jump blues. Featuring the full sounds of The Dukes of Soul Horns, “Ice Storm” is a tight, high-energy instrumental that goes full-tilt and hits you with a knock-out punch. Ellison plays his guitar hot, fast and furious in unison with the horn arrangements that are smoking.

There are so many fine songs on this blues CD, and just not enough space to write about them all. Ice Storm is simply a great CD. I am placing this one at the top of my blues CD list.

    Karen Brault is a Chicago area musician who sings and plays keyboards with the After Midnight Blues Band.

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