Occasionally an artist comes along that finds a way to
express individual vision in a way that connects. I know there is no formula to this, no magic
add this and take away that to blend a sound that travels straight to the
soul. Hauntingly beautiful, Charles Ellsworth and the Dirty Thirty is one
of those records. This modern day troubadour of blues Americana creates with storytelling reminiscent of the country greats like Johnny
Cash and Townes Van Zandt. Sit down and stay a while. . . .
To those of you familiar with the indie scene of the last
decade you may remember a hometown band from Pinetop, Arizona with a name
that kind of stuck out in the emo-blackness.
Alaska and Me released I Will Die
in the West after recording with Arizona producer Bob Hoag. This little band of
high school friends made a big statement about what they wanted to hear in the
indie music scene and that screamed originality flavored by the ideals of
western culture. Life, death, love, and
the pain that a soul feels when these things are lost pushed these guys into
the top twenty on the Smartpunk charts.
A huge accomplishment when music was redefining itself on a moment to
moment basis, Alaska and Me lingered like the scent of a campfire on a starlit
summer mountain night.
More often than not moments like that flicker like a
shooting star burned too bright too fast.
The demise of Alaska and Me became the birth of Charles Ellsworth as a
solo artist. Along with a piece of university paper the man found a clear voice as a filmmaker, songwriter, and
musician. Life is a journey and it is no
mistake that Wandering Man Productions is an unknown force to be reckoned with rising above the glut of good artists attempting to find a clear voice in the indie
music herds. I do want to be clear on
some things before I go on with this. I
am biased. I worked with Alaska and Me and that relationship is a large part of why I am a writer, work with
musicians in various capacities, and am always excited when I hear an artist
that seems genre less, defining their path, and opening up the view for all of us
with their artistry. That describes Charles Ellsworth. I am including his documentary short film about The Dirty Thirty by Charles the filmmaker that explains who the other musicians that were part of the creative team in this project. I too am proud to be working with Charles again, and I look forward to meeting the rest of the family.
Does this make me biased? You tell me. You can go to YouTube and listen to the entire release from
Charles Ellsworth. “Mama Can’t Sleep” as
the first track on this self titled CD is like a train leaving the station,
filled with anticipation and adventure.
The harmonies lilt along, hopeful as most of us are stepping out into
life on our own. “Mike Calls it ‘Savior
Complex’” lilts an echo of childhood, that dream of hitting the road running
toward the possibilities of love.
Finding that “girl next door” is
a grounding force in the face of the storms of life. That beautifully balanced harmony in this release is often
provided by backing vocalist Kiki Jan Siegler.
Angelic and youthful, she is the perfect balance to the deep resonant
tones present in Ellsworth’s vocal style.
Charles Ellsworth brings a haunting beauty to his lyrics, recalling in my mind the struggles in life and the triumphant victory each moment affords. “Coffee,
Drugs, and Cigarettes” is the fork in the road. It begins cutting the path for us all to follow into the darkness. “History repeats all we know, and we don’t
know nothing at all” is a premonition of what is real, present, and the state
of our country at this moment. Nothing
to hide, but never leave. Should we only
be treated right if we never leave? This
echo of the state of affairs in the American political and economic meltdown
suggests that integrity is lost, sold, or forgotten. "All My Tin Soldiers" is nothing less than a honest appraisal of self. How we grow, change, and evolve is a shared pain. Love is the grounding force keeping fear at bay.
This ten track CD is homage to the storytelling of icons such as Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, and Townes Van Zandt. Ellsworth lists as his influences these legends along with blues greats like Robert Johnson and Lead Belly. This record blends voices of the past with a
real time experience with life's truths and lies. The voice of this record is a road trip
from youth to adulthood, with pain, hope, love, and loss. What matters to this listener is not that I
prefer one genre over another. What
matters is a fresh take on an individual’s story, arranged and
set to music. “Education of a Wandering
Man” takes the listener to a land of knowing, moment to moment, that we are all
on the path whether we know it or not. Relationships, love, hope, and strength
bring the message home - that if we heed the warnings and listen for the message we all could be just fine.
www.CharlesEllsworth.com
Presale Special
www.CharlesEllsworth.com
Presale Special
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