I’d like to thank Lisa and Liza for permitting me to be
part of their Ellis Paul fan-based web page. Lisa and I both happen to live in the
Pittsburgh area, and a special thanks goes out to Dottie B. at Ralph Jaccodine Management
for being the intermediary in bringing us together.
I usually say that from the moment I first heard Ellis Paul
perform live, I was a goner. The truth is… I was a goner that night even before he
started to sing. I had never seen Ellis Paul, didn’t know what he looked like, and
only was familiar with one of his songs….a song called Deliver Me that got a
good bit of airplay on WYEP (a GREAT radio station!) in Pittsburgh. The first night I saw
him perform live, before the show began someone in the audience said "There’s
Ellis Paul". I looked to where he was pointing and saw this person talking to people
in the audience….and I thought "That’s Ellis Paul?" It surprised me
that the "star" of the show would be out conversing with folks
beforehand….and he wasn’t dressed like I thought a "star" would be
dressed. (I have NO idea what I thought he should be dressed like.) All I know for sure is
that from that moment I really admired this Ellis Paul person….and then he took the
stage and he sang….
Some things in life can’t be understood. Can’t be
explained. At those times I always say one should simply honor the mystery of it. I
don’t understand this powerful connection I feel for Ellis Paul and his music.
There’s no way I can explain it. So I’ve been trying to just honor the mystery
of it. Since that first life-changing event, I started collecting Ellis Paul CDs. I soon
discovered that he was on several compilations, and since I HAD to have everything, I
started collecting the compilations too. The following is a list of those compilations as
well as other recordings that Ellis has been involved with in one way or another.
Compiling this list has been a labor of love…and being able to spread the word is a
joy……
In chronological order:
End Construction/Resume Speed
(End Construction Productions, 1990; reissued Eastern Front
Records, 1998)
Although this release doesn’t
technically fit what we think of as a compilation CD, it is included here since it
doesn’t fit into the "solo" release category. End Construction is the name
of a group Ellis Paul and three of his friends (Brian Doser, Jim Infantino and Jon
Svetkey) gave themselves when they decided to "band" together (literally!) and
support each others’ careers. Resume Speed is the title of their CD release
and includes four songs by each. Ellis Paul’s contribution includes: New Light on
Your Halo, Just the Jester Fool, Friday Night, and This Old Car.
For die-hard Ellis fans, please note that Just the Jester Fool was recorded
previously on Ellis’ 1989 Black Wolf cassette release Urban Folk Songs, while
the other three songs were recorded previously on his 1989 Black Wolf cassette release Am
I Home. Just the Jester Fool, New Light on Your Halo, and Friday Night were
later re-recorded for Ellis’ first solo release Say Something (Black Wolf,
1993). This Old Car is one of those songs that sneaks up
on you after a few listens (at least it did for me). It’s an incredible story
containing "snapshots" of the different owners of a car…and the part the
car plays in their lives. I’m hoping Ellis will resurrect it soon and begin
performing it at shows. Resume Speed can be purchased online at www.amazon.com or www.easternfront.com.
Legacy II: A Collection of
Singer-Songwriters
(Windham Hill Records, 1992)
Unfortunately, Legacy II is no longer available for
purchase, to the best of my knowledge, although there’s always a chance it may turn
up in a used-record store. Ellis’ contribution on this 13-song compilation (which
also includes Patty Larkin, Patty Griffin and Cheryl Wheeler, to name a few) is Ashes to Dust, which was recorded previously and released on
his 1989 Black Wolf release Urban Folksongs. One day on the drive home from work, I
hit the "repeat" button and listened to Ashes to Dust over and over again
during the entire 45-minute drive. (You can figure out how many times that was!) My
sincere thanks and undying gratitude to my friend, Eric Gerstbrein, who GAVE me his copy
of Legacy II (after I mentioned to him once that my search to find it had been
fruitless), saying it belonged on my shelf more than his…
Old Vienna Tapes, Vol. 2
(Fast Folk Musical Magazine, 1993)
This CD compilation was recorded live at The Old Vienna
Kaffeehaus in Westboro, Massachusetts and includes an absolutely breathtaking (as in
it-took-my-breath-away) version of Conversation With A Ghost. Another surprise was
hearing Scott Alarik’s Mexico. As you may know, Scott writes for the Boston
Globe and also wrote the liner notes for Ellis’ A Carnival of Voices; I
had no idea he was also a performer. Other tracks feature Vance Gilbert, Diane Ziegler,
Greg Greenway, The Nields, and Jim Infantino. This CD was acquired on e-bay. I don’t
think it’s available from any regular sources.
Leak Magazine, Winter 1994
(Leak, 1993)
This compilation CD was released in conjunction with an
article/interview "Ellis Paul: Redefining the Folksinger" that appeared in the
Winter, 1994 premier issue of Leak Magazine. The magazine’s table of contents
subtitles the article by saying "Ellis Paul talks about fashion, Nirvana, politics
and Rush Limbaugh." What it doesn’t say is that during the interview, Ellis
tells the story behind the Woody Guthrie tatoo… The CD features Ellis’ Look
At The Wind Blow from Say Something, and the prologue to the article is written
by the high school friend who inspired the song. The friend says, "I’ve heard
the song. I’ll let you judge for yourself. He went and changed the names of things
– but I know what he’s talking about. I bet you will too, if you grew up in a
small town." This CD and accompanying magazine was acquired on e-bay. I don’t
think it’s available from any regular sources. Other featured artists include Loudon
Wainwright III, Freedy Johnston, Richard Shindell, Bill Morrissey and Ani DeFranco.
Follow that Road
(Rounder, 1994)
The complete title of this CD is Christine Lavin presents Follow
that Road: Highlights of the Second Annual Martha’s Vineyard Singer-Songwriters’
Retreat Held at The Wintertide Coffeehouse. It’s a 2-disk set of 30 songs
recorded over a 3-week period in September, 1993 and includes songs by Pierce Pettis, Tom
Paxton, Diane Ziegler, Cliff Eberhardt, Christine Lavin herself, and the beautiful title
song by Anne Hills. Ellis’ contribution is King of 7th Avenue and
his own words in the liner notes say, "This was the first public performance of the
song. It’s about normal people confronting what their lives are about. The man is at
a crossroads…which falls on the ledge of a building." A later recorded version
appears on Stories (Black Wolf, 1994), but this live version really gives me the
goosebumps. It’s available online from www.amazon.com,
although I found my copy in a record store.
Shelter: The Best of Contemporary
Singer-Songwriters
(Putamayo World Music, 1994)
This is another 2-disk compilation of 28 songs that includes
songs from Carrie Newcomer, Nanci Griffith, David Wilcox, John Gorka and Dar Williams, to
name a few. Ellis’ contribution is Last at the Table from Stories (Black
Wolf, 1994) and is a view of the world as seen through the eyes of a homeless man. The
song is a good example of Ellis’ talent for making subtle (or not-so-subtle)
political statements. Shelter can easily be found in most record stores, but is
also available online from both www.amazon.com and www.cdnow.com.
The Times they Are A Changin’: A
Tribute to Bob Dylan
(Sister Ruby Records, 1994)
As the title of this 12-song compilation suggests, it is a
collection of various artists performing the songs of Bob Dylan. Ellis’ contribution
is All Along the Watchtower.
Although Bob Dylan and I are contemporaries, I can’t say
that I’ve ever been much of a Dylan fan. During the 60s and 70s I was too busy
listening to Motown sounds, I guess, to pay much attention to folk music. I probably have
the biggest collection of Motown 45 RPMs in the land. To this day, Smoky and the Miracles,
The Four Tops and The Temptations still move me. It wasn’t until recently, when I
went to a Bill Miller show and heard Bill sing Dylan’s Knockin’ On
Heaven’s Door, that I realized I did like Dylan songs…as long as someone
else was singing them. Then I learned that this CD existed with my favorite
singer/songwriter helping to pay tribute to Dylan. I had to have it, of course, and I
figured it might not be so bad with John Gorka and Richard Shindell [swoon] singing Dylan.
Much to my amazement, I liked it! I'm starting to appreciate Dylan a bit…I think
maybe I’m growing…and I guess I can thank Ellis Paul for that. J Thanks Ellis.
Information about how to order the tribute is available online at www.sisterruby.com.
Kerrville Folk Festival 1995 Highlights
(Silverwolf/Kerrville, 1995)
Recorded during the 24th annual festival at the
Quiet Valley Ranch in May and June 1995, songs on this 17-song compilation include live
performances by Susan Werner, Carol Elliot, Catie Curtis and Tom Russell. Ellis’
contribution is one of my favorite Ellis Paul songs called Paperback
Man. (My friend Bill Karnoscak says my favorite Ellis Paul song is like his
favorite Nanci Griffith song…it’s the one we happen to be listening to at any
particular moment…) More on Paperback Man will be said below under the
annotation for This is Boston, Not Austin: Volume 1 so read on. This CD is
available online from www.cdnow.com.
Live at the Postcrypt
(Prime-CD, 1995)
The Postcrypt Coffeehouse is located in the basement of
St.Paul’s Chapel on the campus of Columbia University in New York City. This CD of 19
songs was released in celebration of the Postcrypt’s 30th anniversary, and
includes performances by Buddy Mondlock, Peter Keane, Richard Shindell [swoon again....]
and Jim Infantino. Ellis’ contribution is All Things Being the Same, which was
also recorded in the studio for Stories (Black Wolf, 1994). This version is in a
much slower tempo than the studio recording, and I was surprised at how the slower tempo
gives the song a whole different feel…and resulted in me finally "hearing"
that it’s quite a sad story. It’s a wonderful song. Live at the Postcrypt
can be purchased online from www.primecd.com
although I’ve also seen it in record stores.
Performing Songwriter: Volume 2
(Performing Songwriter, 1995)
Performing Songwriter magazine has released five CDs that it
calls its "Top 12 DIYs". It took me awhile to figure out that DIY translates to
"do it yourself(ers)" and is the magazine’s way of supporting and promoting
independent releases. Volume 2 is a collection of 12 songs that were picked from the 72
"Top 12 DIY" reviews that appeared in issues 7 through 12 and includes songs by
Lynn Saner, Martin Sexton, Lynn Miles [Hi, Lynn!], Barbara Kessler and Kami Lyle.
Ellis’ contribution, Last Call, from his 1994 Black Wolf release Stories, is
a beautiful ballad with Patty Griffin singing harmony. Before I die I hope to sing the
Patty Griffin part with Ellis. J This CD is available online from www.performingsongwriter.com.
This is Boston, Not Austin: Volume 1
(Black Wolf Records, 1995)
This 15-song compilation, produced by Ellis’ long-time
manager Ralph Jaccodine, was an attempt to put Boston-based singer-songwriters on the map,
so to speak, and includes songs by Jonatha Brooke, Chris Trapper (of the Push Stars), Deb
Pasternak and Greg Greenway. Ellis’ contribution, Paperback
Man, is the song mentioned earlier that appears on the Kerrville Highlights CD,
but it is this version that I played over and over again, not only because I had to keep
hearing it, but because I was trying to understand its meaning. This version features
Ellis’ buddy Don Conoscenti on percussion and vocals. When I had the opportunity to
talk to Ellis once, I asked him about the meaning of the song. He was to explain it to me
later in the evening, but we both forgot, and I haven’t felt the urgency to ask him
again. Recently I played the Kerrville version, and noticed a slight variation in lyrics
from this version that seemed to make all the difference in my understanding of the
song’s meaning…or maybe it was that some time had passed… All I know for
sure is that I love this song. Anyway, now I am reluctant to reveal my thoughts on its
meaning. I think I’ll just let you buy it and as Iris DeMent says, "Let the
mystery be". This CD is available online from www.easternfront.com
or from www.cdnow.com.
Where Love Goes
(1995)
This 19-song compilation is a soundtrack for the novel by the
same name written by Joyce Maynard. The inspiration for the CD is described by Joyce in
the liner notes where she describes the period of time during which she was writing the
novel. She says, "My chief influence during that period, besides my own strong
feelings on the subject of love and relationships, were the songs I listened to… I
think of these as simple, honest songs that tell stories about the different things that
can happen when a man and a woman fall in love and get together. They’re songs about
true feelings. In my opinion, these songs also contain some of the best writing
that’s being done these days." Regarding why she included Ellis’ Last
Call, also included in the Performing Songwriter compilation as mentioned above, Joyce
says, "The most significant sound in this song is the one you don’t hear: the
sound of a door not opening." Other songs include those by Emmylou Harris, Kim Richey
[her song is Those Words We Said containing the line that Ellis always quotes:
"It’s just me and one good wiper blade up against the rain."], Steve Earle,
Vern Gosdin, and a version of If I Needed You by Townes Van Zandt and Jonell
Mosser, recorded especially for this CD. This CD (and the novel, which I loved!) can be
purchased online from www.joycemaynard.com.
New Country
(Cornell Communications, 1995)
This compilation CD was released in conjunction with an
article "This Month’s Music" that appeared in the October 1995 issue of New
Country magazine. The CD features All Things Being the Same from Stories.
Other artists featured in the magazine article and on the CD were mostly unfamiliar names
to me: Chris Gaffney, High Strung, Don Williams, Ron Wallace, Marcus Hummon, Pete
Anderson, Jim Matt, Eddy Lawrence, Andy Brown and Kevin Welch. Pictured on the magazine
cover is one of my favorite bands, The Mavericks. This CD and accompanying magazine was
acquired on e-bay. I don’t think it’s available from any regular sources.
The Independent Acoustic Group Compilation
(IAG, 1997?)
In the spring of 1997, six major indie record labels joined
together to form the Independent Acoustic Group (IAG). The six were Tangible Music, Prime
CD, Signature Sounds, Eastern Front Records, Gadfly Records, and ISG Records. They
released this compilation CD that includes Ellis’ Conversation With A Ghost from
Say Something. Other featured artists include Martin Sexton, Peter Mulvey, David
Wilcox, Deb Pasternak, and Tom Prasado-Rao. There are 19 tracks in all. With the recent
demise (sometime in 2000) of Eastern Front Records, I’m not sure of the status of IAG
since their former web page is no longer available. This CD was acquired on e-bay.
Live at the Iron Horse
(Signature Sounds, 1997)
The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA is one of the
names on my have-to-go-there-before-I-die list of venues. Others include The Bluebird
Café in Nashville, Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, La Zona Rosa in Austin, The Tin Angel
in Philadelphia (yes, I know I live in the same state as the Tin Angel, but, hey,
it’s a BIG state!), and The Bottom Line in New York City. I can die happy, though.
I’ve been to Club Passim. J But, I digress… Live at the Iron Horse is a
13-song compilation of songs that includes John Wesley Harding, Mary Chapin Carpenter,
Richard Thompson, and Tish Hinojosa. Ellis’ contribution is Weightless, a song
that first appeared earlier on his 1996 Rounder release A Carnival of Voices and is
frequently requested from the audience during his shows. This live version includes his
spoken words telling the story behind the song as a prequel…and I’m real tempted
to say this is my favorite Ellis song…but as I mentioned earlier, my favorite Ellis
song is always the one I happen to be listening to…. Let me just say this: If any
song captures what it must be like to live in a world without gravity (I always feel like
I’m floating when I listen to it), this is it! Buy this CD! You can find it in record
stores or it is available online from www.cdnow.com.
This is Boston, Not Austin: Volume 2
(Black Wolf Records, 1997)
The second volume of This is Boston, Not Austin, is a
2-disk set, the second disk being a disk of Boston’s best spoken-word artists
including Ellis reciting "Love’s Too Familiar a Word". I heard this poem
for the first time on May 22, 1997 at The Backstage in Seattle. It also happens to be the
first time I ever saw Ellis perform live. I think it partly explains why I was a goner
from the beginning. There are 16 songs on this compilation including songs by Jennifer
Kimball, Vance Gilbert, Duke Levine, and Maria Sangiolo. Ellis’ contribution, Did
I Ever Know You?, a song that would later appear on his 1998 Rounder release Translucent
Soul, is a beautiful song that questions just what the title asks. It’s available
online from www.easternfront.com or www.cdnow.com.
Rob Laurens/The Honey on the Mountain
(produced by Ellis Paul)
(Attic Light, 1999)
OK, I know this doesn’t fit neatly into a list of Ellis
Paul compilations, but no true Ellis Paul collection would be complete without it. I say
this not only because its Ellis’ first production, but also because Ellis and Rob
Laurens do a hidden-track duet of Woody Guthrie’s Pretty Boy Floyd and on Last
Train Home we have the opportunity to hear Ellis play a beautiful trumpet line. This
is a wonderful collection of very traditional-sounding folk songs that continues to grow
on me. Stand-out tracks include Cotton-eyed Joe with exquisite guitar work by Don
Conoscenti and harmonica by Rob. Lucy Kaplansky’s harmony vocals on Lucy’s
Smile (that song title is quite a coincidence!) and Tall Grass are lovely. This
CD is available online at www.folkweb.com.
Chris Chandler/Collaborations
(Prime-CD, 1999)
"What does an insect see when it lights on a mirror?
Does it pause and comb its antennae or contemplate the slight overbite to its mandible?
What does a fly hear when it flies through a room where Gershwin is playing?"…
These are the words we hear Chris Chandler recite as an
introduction to Ellis singing Never Lived At All, the first line of which is
"Becky’s playing a piece by Gershwin on her old piano". [Never Lived At
All was previously recorded on A Carnival of Voices; Ellis’ voice on this
recording is in particularly fine form.] Chris’ spoken word of the poem G
Chord continues to be interspersed throughout the song that was recorded live around a
campfire. Much to my surprise, all of the "collaborations" on this CD are
Chris’ poems intertwined around and throughout the artists’ songs. Other
collaborators on this 13-track CD include Catie Curtis, Martin Sexton, Dar Williams and
Dan Bern. In a word, this CD is really different. I am amazed at Chris’ talent
for spoken word that meshes exquisitely with the songwriter’s lyrics. Together Ellis
and Chris have created an anthem about taking risks and reaching for one’s dreams. Collaborations
is available online from www.primecd.com.
Have a Heart: A Benefit for Uncle Mark
Reynolds
(Oasis CDs, 1999)
Mark Reynolds is a much-loved fixture around Eddie's Attic in
Decatur, Georgia where he runs the Attic for Eddie during the day and sometimes performs
at night. When "Uncle" Mark, as he is affectionately called, suffered a major
heart attack in the fall of 1998, Eddie and friends decided to hold a series of benefit
shows for Uncle Mark and this CD is a result of those efforts. All but one of the tracks
were recorded live at Eddie's early in February, 1999. The 17-track CD features, among
others, Pierce Pettis, Eric Taylor, Caroline Aiken, Billy Pilgrim and closes out with
Uncle Mark himself. The one track that wasn't recorded at Eddie's is Ellis and his good
buddy Don Conoscenti singing Pierce Pettis' Just Like Jim Brown. According to the
liner notes, it was recorded at Ellis' house. I have to comment on the song itself, and
then on Don and Ellis' collaboration.
On the surface of Just Like Jim Brown, Pierce Pettis
tells a story of a lover walking away from a relationship, comparing it to Jim Brown
retiring from football. But when you hear the chorus, you realize that the song goes much
deeper as the lyrics say "we are all in this together; we are all in this
alone". At that moment the song could be talking about losing a loved one, struggling
with unemployment, dealing with addiction, or fighting heart disease like Uncle Mark. I
think the song is a reminder that although we sometimes feel alone as we journey along,
we're really not alone since we're all dealing with life's challenges in some way or
another.
I found myself smiling and crying at the same time as I
listened to Ellis and Don's collaboration on this song. As mentioned above, this song was
recorded at Ellis' house, and its spontaneity make it simply precious. At the beginning of
the second verse, when there is a rather long pause as Don starts then stops, Ellis asks
"You forgot the words?"….and Don calmly replies "No, I just got them a
little mixed up. It goes like this." As Don begins again they both chuckle while
Ellis comments "That’s much better" and Don replies "Yeah,
that’ll work" and they chuckle some more. It is so obvious that they are
enjoying the moment and each other. As the song progresses one of them (I'm guessing it's
Don) makes an attempt to whistle, and they both chuckle again. This song makes me smile
and causes me to feel good. I have a feeling it makes Uncle Mark feel good
too….especially when Don and Ellis begin and end by sending their love and best
wishes his way.
Have A Heart can be purchased by calling Eddie's Attic
at 404-377-4976 or stop in if you're in the Decatur/Atlanta area.
Touring Troubadours – 18 Tracks from
the Hardest Working Artists in Show Business!
(Rounder, 1999)
This 18-track
compilation, which includes six previously unreleased tracks, features two songs each from
eight of Rounder’s most popular artists: Vance Gilbert, The Kennedys, Lynn Miles,
Cheryl Wheeler, Bill Morrissey, The Nields, David Olney, Tanya Savory and, of course,
Ellis Paul. Ellis’ two contributions are Take Me Down (recorded live at Eddie’s
Attic in Atlanta in September, 1998 just a few days before the studio version was released
on Translucent Soul) and Translucent Soul, the title track from the 1998 studio recording.
You know...as much as I enjoy and appreciate studio recordings, there is something really
special about a song recorded live that hasn’t gone through the
"airbrushing" process to perfection. When I listen to this version of Take Me
Down, (which I have heard Ellis perform live 12 times) I can hear the crowd…and
I’m in the audience...hearing every inflection and seeing every nuance of this
all-acoustic Ellis…and it is simply perfect imperfection. If it’s any indication
of what we can expect from Ellis’ live CD due to be released later this fall
…all I can say is… I am counting down the days! Touring Troubadours is available
online (for a mere $5.00!) from www.rounder.com.
Crowd Around the Mic: Live on WNCW, Volume 3
(WNCW, 1999)
WNCW, a public radio station in Spindale, NC released this
2-disc live compilation of in-studio performances in celebration of their 10th
anniversary. The 31 tracks include performances by Stacey Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Maura
O'Connell, Guy Clark, Patty Larkin, Carrie Newcomer and Ellis Paul doing an acoustic
version of The World Ain't Slowing Down. The stripped-down Ellis tracks are fast
becoming my favorites…..and I'm running out of adjectives to describe what I think is
simply Ellis Paul at his best. Crowd Around the Mic was given as a premium to
supporting members of WNCW. See the WNCW web site at www.wncw.org
for information on its availability.
Live and Direct: Studio Performances from WYEP
(91.3FM-CD, 1999)
In celebration of their 25th
anniversary WYEP, a public radio station in Pittsburgh, PA, released a 2-disc compilation
of performances recorded live in the WYEP studios. This 36-track compilation is phenomenal
and includes acoustic performances by Patty Griffin, Dave Alvin, Beth Orton, Martin
Sexton, Peter Himmelman, and many others including Ellis Paul doing an acoustic version of
She Loves A Girl recorded on Feb. 17, 1999. I remember listening to the radio that
afternoon and hearing Ellis' interview and in-studio performance before playing at The
Rosebud that evening. As Ellis recalls, he was "in the pocket" that afternoon,
and I have to agree. This version of She Loves A Girl is simply gorgeous. Ditto
what I said above about running out of adjectives……Live and Direct is
available as a premium to supporters of WYEP. For a complete track listing and information
about its availability visit WYEP's web site at www.wyep.org.
Live and Direct is sure to become a collectors' item.
The Revolution Spreads
(Fast Company, 1999)
Angel in Manhattan from Translucent Soul is one
of 13 tracks on this compilation that also includes Jeff Black’s Noah’s Ark (from
his release Birminghan Road; one of my favorites from 1999), James
McMurtry’s No More Buffalo, and Cheri Knight’s If Wishes Were Horses. According
to the www.fastcompany.com web site, "Fast
Company Magazine was founded on a single premise: a global revolution was changing the
world" and "now dozens of issues – and awards – later Fast Company is
more than a magazine – it’s a movement." The Revolution Spreads CD
is not mentioned anywhere on Fast Company’s web site, but perhaps a phone call to the
Boston-based magazine (617-973-0300) will shed some light on how to get a copy.
All Folked Up: A Rounder Sampler (Vol. 1)
(Rounder, 2000)
This is a really nice sampler of Rounder artists that
includes one of my three favorite females, Lynn Miles doing The One You’re Waiting
For from her release Night in a Strange Town. It also includes Slaid Cleaves,
Carrie Newcomer, and the Ellis Paul Live version of Martyr’s Lounge featuring
Don Conoscenti on electric guitar and Christopher Williams on percussion. This is a
promotional CD and is not for sale, but it may turn up on e-bay.
Rounder March 2000 New Release Sampler
(Rounder, 2000)
This compilation CD includes The World Ain’t Slowing
Down and Conversation With A Ghost (Patty Griffin version) from Ellis Paul
Live. Other featured artists include The Nields, Brave Combo, Finjan, Patrick Leonard,
Beres Hammond, Everton Blender, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and The Persuasions.
This is a promotional CD and is not for sale, but I acquired it on e-bay.
Me, Myself and Irene Soundtrack
(Elektra, 2000)
This soundtrack includes covers of several Steely Dan songs
including Do It Again performed by Smash Mouth, Any Major Dude Will Tell You
performed by Wilco, Bodhisattava performed by Brian Setzer, Bad Sneakers performed
by The Push Stars, Reelin’ in the Years performed by The Marvelous 3, and Barrytown
performed by Ben Folds Five. The highlight of the soundtrack, of course, is our very own
Ellis Paul doing the movie’s featured song, The World Ain’t
Slowing Down. As Christine Lavin would say, "You go boy!" Nothing more needs
to be said. J
Me, Myself and Irene is available online at both www.amazon.com and www.cdnow.com
as well as in your local record stores.
WDIY Studio Sessions, Vol. 1
(Bummer Tent, 2000)
This compilation is a production of WDIY in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania and includes a simply exquisite live in-studio performance of Conversation
With A Ghost recorded November 1, 1998. I was in my car the first time I listened to
it and if I didn’t know otherwise, I would have thought Ellis Paul was sitting in the
passenger seat. Other stand-out tracks include Lucy Kaplansky doing Ten Year Night, John
Gorka doing Cypress Trees, and Susan Werner doing Montgomery Street. These
live in-studio CD compilations are fast becoming a must for me. They seem to really
capture the essence of folk music – something I can’t describe in words - but I
know it when I hear it. Studio Sessions, Vol. 1 is available online at www.wdiyfm.org or by calling 610-694-8100.
Massachusetts For Folk
(WUMB, 2000)
This compilation was produced by WUMB radio (University of
Massachusetts) in Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and was
distributed in the September-October issue of Dirty Linen magazine. The liner notes
say that "all the artists presented on this CD are Massachusetts based
musicians." It includes tracks from Cheryl Wheeler, Chris Smither, Vance Gilbert,
Brooks Williams, and Greg Greenway. It also includes the Ellis Paul/Patty Griffin Conversation
With A Ghost duet from Ellis Paul Live. I could find no mention of the CD on
the WUMB web site, but you can probably get a copy by ordering this issue of the magazine
at www.dirtylinen.com.
WERS Live From Emerson College
(Emerson Records, 2000)
Here’s another radio station in-studio compilation from
WERS (Emerson College) in Boston. It seems like the 18 tracks include many artists not
usually on a typical folk compilation like Guster, Gigolo Aunts, and Jim’s Big Ego,
but it also includes an incredible a cappella version of Martin Sexton doing Black
Sheep. The really odd thing is that Ellis Paul is incorrectly listed as doing Look
At the Wind Blow when, in fact, he does a really wonderful version of All Things
Being the Same. Similar to the version on Live at the Postcrypt, it’s much
slower than the recorded version on Stories which gives the song a whole different
feel. According to the liner notes Look At the Wind Blow was recorded on February
19, 1993, so there’s no way of knowing for certain if the date is accurate for the
track that actually appears. Live From Emerson College is available from www.amazon.com or you order by phone by calling WERS at
617-824-8462.
And now for guest appearances…
Jon Svetkey, This Is Now
(1992)
I don’t have this CD yet, but I’ve corresponded
with Jon Svetkey and hopefully will soon have a copy. More about it then.
Billy Pilgrim/Words Like
Numbers
(Sister Ruby Records, 1992; reissued Honest Harry Records,
1995)
According to Andrew Hyra and Kristian Bush (AKA Billy Pilgrim) this is a
collection of songs, taken mostly from demos, they never intended to release. Ellis
sings backup on Insomniac, a song he would also perform when
it was re-recorded for Billy Pilgrim's self-titled 1994 release on the Atlantic label.
This version of Insomniac is much more appealing to me since Ellis' voice is more
prominent than on the later version. In the liner notes Kristian Bush says,
"Ellis surprised us all." (See the annotation for Billy
Pilgrim farther down on this list for more information.) To the best of my knowledge
Words Like Numbers is not available through any online store, but it can be ordered by
calling Corner CDs in Atlanta at 404-875-3087.
Bill Morrissey/Inside
(Philo, 1992)
I remember as a very young child (emphasis on very J )
watching the Perry Como television show with my parents. We loved Mr. C., as he was
referred to, partly I'm sure, because he was a local celebrity, having started out as a
barber in Canonsburg, PA., a small town not far from where I grew up. Mr. C. was known for
his relaxed manner during his show. He would sit on a stool and sing requests that were
sent in by viewers. He was so relaxed that it was joked that he might doze off while
singing and fall off the stool. Why am I telling you this? Because as I was listening to
Bill Morrissey, I realized he's the modern-day Mr. C. I don't think I've ever heard a
vocal delivery that sounded as effortless. I can't imagine he ever broke into a sweat
while recording Inside. And on top of that he is one of a handful of persons who
have voices that are unmistakable, right up there with Dylan, Tom Waits and Neil Young.
About all I can say in a feeble attempt to try to describe his voice (words just can't do
it justice) is that it's deep and resonant. On this release produced by John Jennings,
Ellis sings backup vocals on Gambler's Blues, a really fun song that
features Jennings on slide guitar. The contrast between Bill and Ellis’ two voices is
such a joy to hear. I know Bill Morrissey (who by the way produced Ellis' first CD release
Say Something) is a kind of folk-icon, but Inside is the first of his
recordings in my collection. I experienced a kind of epiphany when I heard the title track
(with Suzanne Vega doing back-up vocals); the whole thing is incredible. Enough said. Inside
is available online at www.cdnow.com.
Chris Chandler/ As Seen On No TV
(Flying Fish, 1992)
On this release, Ellis and Jon Svetkey sing back-up harmony
on the first track called Republican Woodstock. If you're familiar with Chris
Chandler, you know his songs are a kind of folk-rap (I've heard it's referred to as folken
word), rather than truly singing. I think these songs probably work better when heard at a
live show. The CD isn't something I can just sit and listen to for very long. After the
first track, I was pretty much ready to move on to something else. As Seen on No TV is
available online at www.cdnow.com.
Don Conoscenti, The Code
(Cogtone, 1993)
Although The Code is 7 years old as I write this, I
didn’t know about its existence until recently when DonCon gave me one of the last
known copies of it. It’s so old that the pictures on the cover and in the liner notes
show DonCon with hair! J
And what a treasure it is. Eddie Owens (of Eddie’s Attic fame in Decatur, Georgia)
says in the liner notes, "….an immensely talented musician blessed with a
healthy outlook on, and an enormous zest for life; contagiously infectious in his
brilliance." DonCon’s brilliance as a musician is evident on these 14 songs on
which he plays acoustic guitar, bass, drums, organ, keyboard, percussion, mandolin,
electric guitar, electric slide guitar, snare drum, and flute…and is joined by
several guest vocalists including Eddie Owens himself, Kristian Bush, Andrew Hyra, Jon
Svetkey, Dede Vogt, and Ellis Paul. Ellis and Kristian share vocals and harmony on Delivered,
a rockin’ song especially showcasing their talent toward the end when the three guys
seem to go their separate ways coming back together on the tag line "deliver
me"….with Ellis’ part sounding surprisingly like the melody of his own Deliver
Me…..but I may be imagining that. J
Jon Svetkey, Yeah,Yeah, Yeah
(End Construction, 1994)
You may recall that Jon Svetkey was one of the four
singer/songwriters that made up the group called End Construction along with Ellis Paul,
Brian Doser and Jim Infantino. When I first heard this solo release of Jon’s, the
songs immediately hooked me which doesn’t happen often….meaning that it usually
takes a few listens until I’m hooked…..but Jon writes the kind of songs that I
call "grabbers". I listened to this CD non-stop for several days. Ellis is all
over the place on it, singing harmony vocals on five tracks. Dar Williams and Brian Doser
also make guest appearances. As I started listrening to it a few minutes ago as I started
writing this, I heard Ellis’ voice on the first track, a song called Big City,
and I thought, "This is my favorite". Then I skipped to track three with Ellis
helping out on Tied To The Tracks, and I thought, "No, this is my
favorite". Then I skipped to track nine, a song called Who Needs Different"
(that I will always call Ordinary Day in my mind), and I thought, "No, this is
really my favorite". And on it went….and they’re all my favorites. This CD
is a must for Ellis Paul collectors. I love Jon Svetkey. He is currently singing and
recording with a group called The Loomers, and Yeah, Yeah, Yeah is available on The
Loomers web site at www.loomers.com.
Don Conoscenti/Beneath Your
Moon
(Cogtone, 1994)
This recording of Ellis' buddy Don Conoscenti is the one that won me over. It's
a beautiful collection of songs that really showcases the fact that there isn't an
instrument DonCon can't play. Ellis sings harmony on the
chorus of the title track, a song that could easily be a prayer written to a best friend,
a lost love, a Higher Power.."I am asking for your mercy." Beneath Your Moon is
available online at www.folkweb.com.
Vance Gilbert/Edgewise
(Rounder, 1994)
I'm writing this just four days after seeing Vance and Ellis
perform together. I purchased Edgewise that night and as I sit here listening to it
as I write, I can't help but smile with such fresh memories rolling around in my head.
Ellis sings on the chorus with a bunch of other folks on When Jimmy Falls in Love,
but all of us in the audience that night sang the la lala la, la lala la, la lala la, la
of the chorus. Edgewise nicely captures the wide range of songs and sounds that
Vance is capable of….and his well-known humor is evident in the song Country
Western Rap. Edgewise is available in most record stores and online at both www.amazon.com and www.cdnow.com.
Billy Pilgrim/Billy Pilgrim
(Atlantic, 1994)
Billy Pilgrim is made up of two fellas by the name of Andrew
Hyra and Kristian Bush. I had never heard of them until Ellis told me he sang on a Billy
Pilgrim release called Bloom. So I bought Bloom and saw that Ellis was not
credited with being on the release, but, I thought, no big deal, I can figure out what
track(s) he sings on. I can distinguish his voice in a crowd. J So I
listened…..carefully…..but heard no Ellis. So I listened again…..more
carefully….. but still heard no Ellis. OK, I thought to myself….Ellis TOLD me he
sings on here, so I'm going to listen again…..Well…..after the third time
through I was beginning to have some major doubts about myself…..and I was feeling
really embarrassed…..although back in the deep dark recesses of my brain I wondered
if Ellis was mistaken…..Well….when next I had an opportunity to talk to Ellis I
told him I bought the Billy Pilgrim but couldn't hear him on it. "Which one did you
buy", he asked? "You told me Bloom, I replied". "Oh, no, he
says. It was the one before that." "That's OK, I said. I really like the
CD." [Inside I'm thinking "Yippee! My self-confidence has been restored"!]
And within a few days Billy Pilgrim's earlier, self-titled release was added to my
collection and is now being added to this list. Ellis is given credit for singing
background vocals on the song Insomniac, a song about [what else!] not being able
to sleep. It was so great listening to this song and easily picking his voice out
of the background on the chorus: "I can hear your bare feet on the kitchen floor, and
I don't have to have these dreams no more, and I've found someone to hold me tight, to
hold the insomniac all night." Hyra and Bush are very talented songwriters and they
definitely have a certain chemistry together. This'll be GREAT cruisin' down the highway
music on my next long-distance road trip…right up there with The New Radicals!….just
crank up the volume and set the cruise-control... Emily Saliers of The Indigo Girls also
makes a guest appearance. Billy Pilgrim is available online from www.cdnow.com.
Rob Lytle/Rob Lytle
(self-released,1995)
I was pleasantly surprised when I happened across this CD
quite by accident while surfing the Internet and found that it featured Dar Williams and
our very own Ellis. It was a small miracle that I found a working e-mail address for Rob,
contacted him, and was able to order a copy of the CD directly from him. His songs run the
gamut from bluesy (Mist Upon These Eyes) to country (Cry For the Working Man),
to folk (She Was Married) and tackle a variety of subjects including losing a lover
(A Long Time), politics (Men of Good Intentions), and of course, a love song
or two. His voice is exceptionally pure and uncluttered. Ellis sings background vocals on My
Heart Breaks Down, a really jumpin’ song with a honky-tonk piano that makes it
almost impossible to not get up and start dancing. When I heard Ellis’ easily
distinguishable voice on the chorus I had to smile. When I hear him on something I’ve
never heard before it’s like finding a safe harbor in a storm. This CD is a keeper
folks, and if you’re interested in getting a copy for yourself you can e-mail Rob
Lytle at lytrob@aol.com for ordering information.
Jim Henry/Jacksonville
(Signature, 1995)
I had never heard of Jim Henry and bought this CD solely
because I learned that Ellis did a guest appearance on it. What a find! This CD is
terrific. Wonderful songs. Lyrics that grab you. Beautiful voice. I don't know how I could
not have heard about Jim Henry before. Ellis and Jennifer Kimball sing harmony on the
first track, It's Only Business, a song about life on Wall Street. Ellis
also sings harmony on Till The Siren Blows Again, a song about experiencing a
tornado as seen through the eyes of a five year old. If you're looking to add a new artist
to your CD collection, this is the one folks. Jacksonville is available online at
www.cdnow.com.
Don Conoscenti/Boxes of Bones
(uncredited track)
(Cogtone, 1996)
Don Conoscenti starts Boxes of Bones off doing an
electric version of Why'd She Do That with Emily Saliers (of the Indigo girls),
then sneaks it in again as a hidden track acoustic version performed live with Ellis. Why'd
She Do That is a really catchy song that questions why we do some of the things we do.
It's really nice hearing the audience's enthusiasm both at the beginning and end, and it's
always nice hearing Don and Ellis together. Boxes of Bones also features Kristian
Bush, Pierce Pettis, David Wilcox, Kristen Hall, The Nudes, Leslie Tucker, Nance Pettit,
and DeDe Vogt and is available online at www.cdnow.com
or www.folkweb.com.
Mark Erelli/Long Way From Heaven
(self-released, 1997)
I had not heard of Mark Erelli and bought this CD solely to
add to my Ellis Paul collection. It's another keeper. Mark wrote all ten songs. What
caught me totally off-guard was how similar Mark's voice is to Ellis'. It was almost
spooky. On Before We Die, the song that Ellis sings back-up on, it was not easy to
distinguish their two voices and reminded me of the close harmony and sound of The Everly
Brothers. This is a really nice collection of songs. Mark was recently signed by Signature
Sounds and has just released a new self-titled CD that is available online at www.markerelli.com. Information on how to order Long
Way From Heaven is available from Puddlestomp Records at http://w3.ime.net/~pdlstomp/index.htm or
you can e-mail Mark directly for ordering information at erelli@cs.com.
Buddy Mondlock/Poetic Justice
(Major Bob Productions, 1998)
From beginning to end, Poetic Justice is one of the
most beautiful CDs I have ever heard. If you need to get away from it all, just put this
CD on, put your feet up, close your eyes and let Buddy's voice transport you…at least
temporarily. J Ellis' contribution is a small one; he's part of the "pub" choir
on No Choice, a song about how at times we are so compelled to do certain things
that it seems like we don't really have a choice. Another highlight of this CD is Nanci
Griffith singing back-up with Buddy on a song that he penned called Comin' Down in the
Rain, a song Nanci previously recorded on her Grammy-award-winning Other Voices,
Other Rooms. Poetic Justice is available online at www.songs.com.
Carl Cacho, Blue Around the Edges
(self-released, 1998)
Sometimes when I discover a new artist, I wonder how I
couldn’t have known about him or her before. That’s what I thought when I first
listened to Carl Cacho. This is such a wonderful CD and features guest appearances by
Kevin So, Catie Curtis, and Ellis Paul. And Kevin and Catie don’t simply sing –
Kevin also plays harmonica and piano, and Catie plays drums on Tumbleweed’s At the
Fair, the song that also features Ellis doing some really sweet harmony:
And they hide their hope like an ugly scar
Like it’s stolen gold in their pockets
They ride this world like it’s a beat up car
Some reckless fool has forgotten
Blue Around the Edges can be purchased online at www.folkweb.com.
Darryl Purpose/Travelers’ Code
(Tangible Music, 1999)
I wasn’t familiar with Darryl Purpose, and purchased
this CD sight-unseen (or is that ears-unheard?) because it was advertised "with a
special guest appearance by Ellis Paul". Once again I was pleasantly surprised with
what I found. Travelers’ Code is a beautiful collection of songs all written
by Darryl with the help of several co-writers. Ellis sings harmony vocals on Child of
Hearts, a bittersweet song about fatherhood seen through the eyes of both a father and
a child. This song rocks, particularly on the chorus where we hear Ellis at his
rockin’-finest. I defy you to listen to this song and not crank-up the volume; it is
IMPOSSIBLE! My only negative comment (admittedly totally biased) is there isn’t
enough of Ellis. J Another pleasant surprise was finding Lucy Kaplansky singing a duet
with Darryl on Ring On My Hand. I’ve concluded that anything Ellis Paul is
involved with is going to be a welcome addition to my CD collection. I also have a feeling
Darryl Purpose’s CD would have found its way into my collection eventually. Ellis
just gave it a little boost. Since I tend to describe songwriters by who they remind me
of, let me say that listening to Darryl brought forth memories of Richard Shindell [still
swooning…] singing James Keelaghan’s Cold Missouri Waters. Not a bad
thing to be compared to. But, hey….buy it yourself and let me know what you think. Travelers’
Code is available online from www.songs.com.
John Wesley Harding/Dynablob 3
(WOW,1999)
Dynablob 3 is an entire unedited show recorded live at
the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, CA on March 26, 1999. It includes 11 songs as well
as chat between songs, a broken guitar string, some lively interactions with the audience
which includes requests granted and not granted, and several funny stories. JWH does
several songs from his Trad Arr Jones release, including a song called Annan
Water, a tragic tale about a lover unable to cross the river to reach his bonny Annie.
The chorus features Ellis' exquisite gives-me-goose-bumps harmony:
And woe betide you Annan Water
At night you are a gloomy river
And over you I'll build a bridge
That never more true love may sever.
For ordering information go to www.wesweb.com.
Vance Gilbert, Live
(Disismye, 2000)
This CD was long overdue. Anyone who has ever seen Vance
Gilbert live in concert knows that his studio recordings don’t capture that feeling
one gets at his shows (how do you hold a moonbeam in our hand?)…but when I listen to Live,
it’s pretty close to being there and getting the total "Vance experience". J Live includes many of
Vance’s more well-known and often-requested songs like Pablo’s Lights and
When Jimmy Falls in Love. Because it’s a live CD, the listener also hears
Vance at his stand-up-comedian best, talking to folks in the audience and telling stories
– including how he met Ellis Paul - which segues nicely into the song he wrote about
their friendship: Taking It All To Tennessee. The reason this CD is on this Ellis
Paul list is because it also contains a hidden video track of Vance and Ellis doing Dear
Amelia, recorded at Club Passim on January 1, 2000. I’ll reiterate the directions
for watching the video that appear on the liner notes:
- Put it in your computer.
- Read README file and do what it says.
- Enjoy.
Vance Gilbert Live is available online at www.vancegilbert.com.
Christopher Williams, The Silence in
Between
(self-released, 2000)
This is one of my top-five favorite CDs of 2000 – a
beautiful collection from beginning to end – ten exquisite songs that won’t fail
to move you. Ellis sings harmony on Empty My Hands, a song co-written by Mark
Erelli. Ellis soars on the chorus:
Empty my hands of all the stones I’ve gathered
Empty my hands of all this weight
Empty my hands; show me what matters
There’s got to be a better way
The Silence in Between is available online at www.christopherw.com. Buy it now.
Bernice Lewis, Religion and Release
(Sanctuary Records, 2000)
Bernice Lewis is another artist who was unknown to me until I
learned about Ellis doing a guest appearance on her latest release. And, as usual, I
discovered another treasure. Bernice has a beautiful voice and writes songs to match. The
song on which Ellis sings his exquisite harmony is Bliss’s Child co-written by
Lewis and Michael Smith. It’s hard to keep the eyes from tearing up on the chorus:
No blame, no shame
No calling out your name
Sauntering through all life’s trials
Now that I am bliss’s child
But Bernice can also bring a smile to your face when she
sings Normal’s Just a Setting on the Washing Machine. Religion and Release can
be purchased online at www.songs.com.
Whew! That's quite a list. To the best of my
knowledge, it's complete, but if you think there's something that should be added, please
let me know by writing to me at kzundel@westol.com.
BIG thanks go out to Bill Eley for obtaining all the
e-bay items for me.
8-2-99
rev. 9-15-99
rev. 11-13-99
rev. 2-16-00
rev. 8-16-00
