The Day After Everything Changed

Ellis Paul | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Black Wolf
• ASIN: B002HIV9U8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,995 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

After 15 years of recording one exceptional album after another, it would be appropriate to toast legendary New England singer/songwriter Ellis Paul's sheer longevity in a business that often overlooks the original voice and rewards mediocrity instead. But with the January 12 release of The Day After Everything Changed we're struck more by the fact that Paul is still playing at the top of his game to such an extraordinary degree. It is, as always, the quality not the quantity but in this case we're rewarded with both. For anyone unfamiliar with the output of one of the defining voices of American songwriting, this steller new album is a great place to start.

Sumptuously produced, The Day After boast a full array of songs both personal and socially aware, from the gloriously soaring title track to the heartbreaking, Randy Newman-styled portrait of a post-Katrina New Orleans in Hurricane Angel. If there's a more devastating indictment of the events surrounding that defining moment in history we've yet to hear it. I need to keep feeling refreshed; says Paul. I'm looking around and trying to learn new things, experience other people's music and stories. I have no idea where I'm headed, but I think it'll make me a broader artist. Recommended. --Direct Current

Posted on Fri, Nov. 27, 2009 Music this week byline w

Ellis Paul: Lots of guys are writing songs about bad times, but no one's hit on the money as vividly than this veteran of the New England folky singer-songwriter school. On his new "The Day After Everything Changed" album, Paul makes the best of romance in hard times in Rose Tatoo; warns of the perils of easy solutions in The Lights of Vegas; and taps into the post- Hurricane Katrina doldrums with the Louisiana-style Hurricane Angel. --Philly Daily News

The Day After Everything Changed Reviews Paul puts poetry in motion December 03, 2009

Posted on Dec 02, 2009 by Diana Nollen.

Ellis Paul's latest recording is more than just a disc. It's also a book of poetry.

The Day After Everything Changed is Paul at his literary best, holding a mirror to the human experience. He sings with the raw passion of a troubadour, captured in picture-perfect form on the liner notes, as he strolls into a sunset, guitar in hand.

Many of the songs deal with relationships present and past, exhilarating and heartbreaking. Others tell histories that shouldn't be forgotten, as in the Dixie-flavored Civil War tale, The Cotton's Burning or the Katrina chapter in Hurricane Angel.

As beautifully as the disc begins, with the lusty Annalee and the downcast Rose Tattoo, the third song is the one that whisked me back to my teen years of riding in the back of a pickup truck over bumpy back roads. I can feel the country breeze through my hair on the jaunty River Road.

I'm confident listeners will find at least one song among the 15 that sings to their soul.

Ever sought an oasis to quench your parched throat? You'll like The Lights of Vegas. Ever need a shoulder to cry on? Hang onto Heaven's Wherever You Are.

Ever steal a kiss or more at the drive-in? Once Upon a Summertime will make you smile. Ever drive way too far in bad weather to reach the one you love? You'll love the ethereal sighs and dreamy finger picking of Waking Up to Me.

by Diana Nollen, Cedar Rapids Gazette --Cedar Rapids Gazette

Product Description

Recorded at Sorted Noise studio in Nashville, the 15-song album was produced by Thad Beaty and Jason Collum and features five songs co-written by Paul s longtime friend and collaborator, Sugarland s Kristian Bush.

Of Paul, Bush notes, Ellis has a voice that is so powerful that you know who it is the second he comes through your radio. His music and songs are a new birth in American sound that makes me want to go see concerts again.

The songs on the record reflect Paul s commitment to storytelling, exemplified in the title track The Day After Everything Changed. Described by Paul himself, the song is about people who are at a crossroads in their life; a hurricane Katrina victim wondering what direction his life would take after the storm hit; a person doing the long drive home after being laid off at work. Paul continues, I have committed myself to writing more conversationally. I like songs to be cultural events, little ones, that somehow tell me what it feels like to be living here on this planet in this country at this time.

I want to hear about people s joys and woes and apply them to my own. You can t fake real life stories. When you re faking it it s obvious. As long as the writing feels real it works in any genre.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Paul's best to date, December 23, 2009

By 

Jeffrey Johnson (Living in Exile, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Day After Everything Changed (MP3 Download)

And that is saying something..... From the driving energy of "Annalee" to the passionate love of a life and a city gone missing in "Hurricane Angel", first love remembered in "Once Upon A Summertime" to love lost forever in "Nothing Left To Take," Paul's music and lyrics paint as broad a picture of life as possible. Even after more than 15 albums, he is not only at the top of his game but he continues to surprise and delight with his music. The production is expressive without being overwhelming. Highly recommended !

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His best yet!, January 6, 2010

By 

Jela Webb (Sussex, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Day After Everything Changed (MP3 Download)

I've been an Ellis fan since 1994, have all the CDs and think that this new one contains some of his strongest material. He's ventured into some new territory by featuring a covers medley for the first time on a solo studio album 'Walking After Midnight' (recorded by Patsy Cline) and 'Change' (by Sam Baker). Five of the songs are co-writes with long time friend Kristian Bush (Sugarland) who is also Exec Producer.

'The Day After Everything Changed' is a wonderful addition to the Ellis Paul CD collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic!, January 6, 2010

By 

bonuela - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Day After Everything Changed (MP3 Download)

i've been an ellis paul fan for years and i am blown away by this new cd. the music is wonderful and the artwork is breathtaking.