Customer Reviews

Essentials

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Playing Time - 1:16:46 (CD#1), 1:07:30 (CD#2)-- Wow, what a body of material to get an historical overview of Ellis Paul' songwriting for the past twenty years. He has many many kinds of songs over the years - folk, love, pop, story, rock, and even novelty songs. This 2-CD set with nearly two and one-half hours of music deserves close listening and analysis of melodies, lyrics, messages, and arrangements. He's worked with seven producers over the years and many more musicians.

Paul attributes "Conversation With A Ghost" (released in 1992) as the first song that brought people out to the clubs of Boston to hear him play. Folksinger Bill Morrissey was producing his music back then. Most recently in 2006, his "American Jukebox Fables" album was produced by Flynn, and there are several cuts from that project on this compilation. There is some previously unreleased material on "Essentials" too, including some live material from some 2006 shows in Mass. and Maine. Reviewing this project a week before Christmas, I especially enjoyed "Snow in Austin," a Texas Christmas song. Another unreleased song was an attention-grabber entitled "Welcome Home To Maine," a writing assignment about his birthplace and its features for the Maine Governor. John Jennings produced some of the newest material for "Essentials" with The Best of Band that included Paul and Jennings, along with J. T. Brown, Dave Mattacks, Don Conoscenti, and Rachel Davis contributing background vocals on one cut.

From the stock of Maine potato farmers, Ellis Paul moved to Boston, studied music, connected with the roots of the folk genre, then proceeded to develop a signature singer/songwriter sound that now incorporates pop, rock and contemporary sensibilities. Ellis Paul's wise perceptiveness and charisma have built him a strong fan base. He's also a hardworking, resilient touring artist who has garnered numerous awards for ten album releases and music, some of which has been featured in soundtracks for the films, Shallow Hal and Me, Myself, & Irene.

Ellis' voice has much character, and his songs understand the bond between land, life, heart and soul. Most are slower to moderate tempo'ed, and Ellis does particular well creating an intimate and familiar feeling with some songs. Keyboards and percussion provide the primary instrumental excitement that serve to increase the emotional impact of his later material. I would've enjoyed more vocal harmony in his arrangements.

Ellis possesses all the fundamental elements for success as a singer/songwriter. His messages are profound, and they make us think. For example, "Home" (from the American Jukebox Fables album) is a lover's tribute with the "house being just an address, you're my home." "Jukebox on my Grave" leaves us with his simple wish to mark the music man's ultimate resting place. His influences are many -- Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Rolling Stones, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Patty Griffin and others. Interesting that "Essentials" tips his hat to Woody Guthrie tribute artists and even Woody himself "in a sense." Ellis Paul's imagination and skill are both polished and fanciful all in one. He a masterful singer/songwriter. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

I know I'm a bit biased when it comes to Ellis Paul, but his new 2-disk Essentials is a stunning (have I said that enough times?) collection of songs spanning his nearly 20-year, 10-CD release career. The re-recordings of "home", "words" and "maria's beautiful mess" with the touch of John Jennings are worth the cost. The songs recorded live are a nice addition and the two previously unrecorded songs ("if she's the one" and "welcome home to Maine") are pure Ellis Paul. Hearing the songs from early in his career ("conversation with a ghost", "deliver me", Paris in a day") interspersed with later material makes for a desert-island disk. If you're not familiar with the music of Ellis Paul, this would be the place to start. Stunning.

I had the honor of sitting in on a recording session that Ellis Paul participated in for Tom May's River City Folk radio program and wow ... I was hooked. American Jukebox Fables was a work of pure genius and this CD is the true icing on the cake for me. Ellis is such an incredible artist with an amazing voice and a true gift for the music he writes. For myself this CD will be in my top 10 favorite cd's of all time ... I can think of no greater comment I can give. Thanks Ellis for an amazing collection and keep up the good work!

Ellis Paul is the best singer songwriter to come along in years & he just keeps getting better.
His Essentials cd is the perfect way for a new fan to get aquainted & a long standing fan to get lost in Ellis memories as well as connecting to a few new songs.
The songs were chosen with care & love I am sure & made me go back into my Ellis collection & pull out some of my less played Ellis cd's to rediscover their magic as well.
This two cd set is a wonderful look at Ellis' career. I especially like the second cd with a beautiful live performance of She Was, a haunting Ellis song. As well as God's Promise, the Woody Guthrie piece that Ellis supplied the music for. And a new favorite Welcome Home To Maine.
If you only buy one cd this holiday season, this should be it.

If you are a new fan to the music of Ellis Paul, or don't know him at all, this is a fantastic place to start. Ellis recently said at a concert that many artists would consider this a "greatest hits" album. He stated that for him this was a compilation of his life's work...greatest hits in the eyes of others, or no. There are 34 songs over 2 cds and not a bad one in the bunch. Some of my personal favorites...

* "Home" is a great song Ellis wrote for his wife as a wedding present...ended up being about their house burning down! Funny story...

* "Take all the sky you need" Beautiful love song about being willing to do anything for the one you love

* "Snow in Austin" FUNNY Christmas type love song. Favorite line:

Tumbleweeds
Dance on the ground
Armadillos (poor little guys)
Upside down

* "Conversation with a Ghost", "Blacktop Train", "Alice's Champagne Palace" classic, wonderful Ellis

* "Rollaway Bed" Funny song about someone who steals the covers and the man who loves her..

What else can I say? This is a magnificent album from start to finish ~ A must buy!!

As a newcomer to Ellis' music, I find this CD invaluable. It provides a wonderful overview of his career so far, and with If She's The One a glimpse of things to come.

If you are looking to start your collection of Ellis Paul music this is the perfect CD. If you are a longtime fan you will enjoy the updated recordings.

Words.. are better said when it comes to the music of Ellis Paul. Ellis is a true master of the singer/songwriter craft. The songs on this CD showcase the talent of one of the most respected and well loved folk singer in the past 15 years. From lyrics, melodies, and great guitar playing his music has it all. A few live songs, a few re-recorded and a few fan favorites, all wrapped up nicely in a generous 2 CD set. The personal notes he shares of how each song came to be are all gems too. This is the CD to have for new or long time fans alike.

I have been an EP fan for the better part of 10 years and this is a wonderful collection of his music. It is a perfect introduction with a little bit of just about everything that Ellis has to offer and for those of us who are long time listeners, there are a couple of new songs, a few songs that have been re-recorded and of particular note in my book, he's included some live tracks that are incredible.

For me there is a straight shot of 3 songs at the end of the second CD that I CANNOT get enough of She Was, followed by Speed of Trees and topped off with God's Promise. I believe that these were recorded at his show at the Sommerville theater earlier this year which I remember sitting there and wishing I could take that show home with me - now I can a little bit, thanks Ellis. :-)

She Was is a perfect showcase for Ellis' voice, in addition to being one of my favorite songs (though I have to say that I have a long list of favorites) and in this version his voice really soars. Speed of Trees has always been a favorite of mine and God's Promise I do not have words for.

This is a fantastic collection spanning the incredible breadth and ability of one of this generation's most capable and prolific performers in this genre of music. Ellis remains one of the most outstanding songwriters on the circuit, recognized by his musician peers as well as by his many, many fans. His vocal range and ability stir emotion in his listeners, and the visuals his words paint place the listener in various settings. Many phrases within the songs echo common truths of relationships, spun with the wisdom of a keen observer of the human condition. Ellis' melodies are memorable, beautiful, original, and far from pre-fab. Essentials is a terrific retrospective for anyone, and for first-timers, it may open the door to delving in to the treasures contained in the rest of Ellis' impressive CD library.

This is a spectacular collection of some of Ellis Paul's most wonderful music. Yes, I'm a fan and have been so for many years, but these disks let me hear the songs as if they were new and fall in love with them all over again.

Ellis Paul is a fabulous musician and song writer and word-smith. If you're not familiar with his work, this is a great place to start; if you are familiar, you'll enjoy hearing the old (and a few new) songs in new contexts. Seriously, this is a must-have CD.