Tinsley Ellis, The Hard Way (Telarc, 2004)

"Guitarist Tinsley Ellis Does It The Hard Way." That's what the tear sheet says that accompanied his new CD. "New Telarc release serves up gritty blues-rock with shades of R&B." And, sure enough, that's what you get from the first note through the last. The Hard Way is Ellis's ninth career album, his second on Telarc, and it shows an artist comfortable with his limitations and willing to work within that framework to create some rockin' and very enjoyable music.

Ellis plays music from across the spectrum of blues-rock. You might think that first lick on "Still In The Game" sounds like Eric Clapton, but it's Tinsley Ellis. Is that Santana providing the guitar solo on "Let Him Down Easy?" Nope, Tinsley Ellis! Well, that thin Strat sound on "Me Without You," that's gotta be Robert Cray. Uh-uh, nosirree, Mister Tinsley Ellis. The guy's a chameleon and yet. . . the album has a unity that belies these diverse sounds. The band is solid. Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward adds potent rhythms, and someone called The Evil One provides bass. Kevin McKendree plays organ and electric piano, and Oliver Wood adds another guitar. Guests include Sean Costello on harmonica for "Fountain of Youth," and Count M'butu on congas adding to the Santana sound ("Let Him Down Easy").

Ellis doesn't have the best voice in the world, but he uses it intelligently. He manages all the notes and doesn't push too hard, so his voices maintains authority on the songs of tough times, love gone bad and everyday trials and tribulation.

There's a wonderful acoustic guitar solo on "And It Hurts." This is followed by the wah-wah pedal psychedelia of "La La Land." I can't remember the last time I heard a wah-wah pedal. Neat! "My Love's the Medicine" could be a Sam and Dave out-take. "Fountain of Youth" is a bluesy shuffle. "Love Bomb" features Elllis's stinging guitar on an instrumental workout. This guy can play anything.

The Hard Way is the first album Ellis has produced himself. He does a great job of capturing the essence of a hot band, with a sizzling soloist. This is some of that music Muddy Waters was talking about when he sang, ". . . the blues had a baby, and she called it rock and roll!"

[David Kidney]

Tinsley Ellis has a Web site here. Telarc's Web site is here.