Up From The Skies: The Polydor Years

Ellen McIllwaine | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 7, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 7, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polydor / Umgd
• ASIN: B000009CM7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,704 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unheralded proto-female rocker with stinging guitar, June 29, 1999

By 

Paul J. Morrow, Jr. (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Up From The Skies: The Polydor Years (Audio CD)

I first heard Ellen in 1972-73 when these albums came out (and, yes, my poor LPs are about worn out). She came on stage alone and barefoot, plugged in her electric guitar and proceeded to blow out the back of the small auditorium with her stinging slide guitar and her explosive voice. She commented that the record company liked her but wanted her to - can you believe this - lose the guitar! They apparently wanted to make her into a "chick" singer instead of the stunningly original stylist on vocals AND guitar that she is. Alas, she faded from public sight and never got the fame she deserved (it only took Bonnie Raitt twenty years). This compilation gives the uninitiated both of her first two Polydor albums with almost all of the cuts on the originals. The first album is wonderfully diverse and reflects her affection for country ("Honky Tonk Angels"), what would now be called world music ("Pinebo"), and classic rock in her masterful version of Stevie Winwood's "Can't Find My Way Home." I thought that he broke the mold on that song until I heard Ellen's version. The proof that she was getting better is her overall stronger - in my opinion - second album. As much as I liked the first album, the power of her performance on the songs "Sliding," Father Along" "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven," "Jimmy Jean" and the incomparable "We the People" makes it a classic. I understand that she now lives in Canada. All I can say is please visit the lower 48 again so that everyone can (re)experience the power and the glory.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She'll bring it on home to you!, February 6, 2005

By 

Jack B. Nimble (East Coast) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Up From The Skies: The Polydor Years (Audio CD)

Ellen McIllwaine could just as well be the standard by which others can be judged. Her beautiful yet powerful vocals coupled with her versatile guitar playing is just a pleasure to listen to and her music gives off some unique vibes that you want to feel while listening to music. It's a mixed bag of rock, blues, folk and celtic influences with great lyrics and with her dead-on vocals, she'll bring it on home to you. Being that there were no "hits" to thrust her career into the mainstream eye and the lack of airplay from the radio stations of the day, she never really got as popular as she should have, but those who know of her really enjoy her incredibly unique style. If you can find a copy, listen to her late 60's material with FEAR ITSELF (yes, she was in a heavy blues psych rock band that released one great LP for Dot back in 1969). That's where "Underground River" (included here) came from, she took the song with her. Also, "In my time of dying" just gives me the chills. This collection is highly recommended, so do yourself a favor and purchase this CD! Not a bad song really to be found. From her late 60's material (which is not included in this release) up to her later work included here, I just really dig her. No doubt, one of my favorites - Love ya Ellen!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up From Obscurity, May 17, 2002

By 

David E. Hartman (Highland Park, ILLINOIS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Up From The Skies: The Polydor Years (Audio CD)

Man, I've been searching for this CD for 20 years! I had the vinyl version, lost it in a flood, and only recently tried enough variations of Ms. McIlwaine's last name on the 'net to find her CD's. When a song like "Pinebo" sticks in your head for 20 years, there's either a great artist behind it, or you need to get your head examined. I think it's the former. There's no-one out there like Ellen. Multicultural influences, multi-octave voice, multi-talented percussive fingerstyle guitar. This isn't nostalgia. She didn't have much competition then, and has even less now. So overlooked. So wonderful!