RORY ELLIS
Quintessential Australian Alternative Country Artist
In Concert at the Boars Head,
Middlewich CW10 0JE
Sunday 9th November 2014, 8:00pm
Supported by: Jonathan Tarplee
“Rory Ellis puts the “Alt” back into Alt Country”
Having worked in various Melbourne acts since 1989, Rory started his solo acoustic journey in 1998, working the bars and festivals around Australia. Some include Port Fairy Folk Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival, The National Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Blues and Roots, Queenscliff Music Festival, Maldon Folk Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival. The list goes on.
Rory is different to most songwriters, as he has amazing stories to tell, often taken from his time spent touring full time, living in a boxing gym, working at the Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda, time spent working as a bouncer in Melbourne’s hardest rooms, and seeing first hand, the seedier side of life. It gives a tangible edge to the songs, making them instantly recognizable in your own life.
The incredible response to his live shows initially prompted the release of his first solo album Ride in 2000. Released to much critical acclaim, it was lovingly produced by Dave Steel (ex Weddings Parties Anything, Archie Roach).
Lyall Johnson of the Melbourne Age said,“If you’re not deeply moved by this superb debut by Melbourne singer-songwriter Rory Ellis, it’s doubtful you’re human”.
Since that release Rory has gone from strength to strength with his songwriting releasing Road Of The Braver Man in 2003, who Jackey Coyle of Rhythms Magazine stated, “that the quality of Rory Ellis’s voice alone the richness of the timbre, the skill of his technique, that he conveys an irresistible charisma, and that’s not even counting his song writing skills. The first few verses I heard, I was done for – instant fan”.
It was in 2004 Rory decided to head overseas to England and he has toured there every year since, anywhere from 3-9 months each tour. A real troubadour doing it on floors, couches, shoestrings, packet noodles, and human kindness to make it work and deliver his piece of real life Australia, not what they saw on Neighbours. Whilst in England and more recently Europe, his travels have seen him perform alongside many greats including Richie Havens, Robert Cray, Canned Heat, Eric Bibb and has performed at many of the largest UK Blues and Roots Festivals including Great British R&B Festival, Shetland Folk Festival, Larmer Tree Festival, Stokes Bay Festival, Maryport Blues Festival, The Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival and countless others.
Of his performance at the Shetland Folk Festival in 2008, The Scotsman Newspaper stated that “Ellis was another standout of 2008’s line-up, wrapping shades of Satchmo, Springsteen, Tom Waits and Chris Smither in his epically rugged voice”.
Rory released his third album, The Rushes, in 2005, where Jeff Glorfeld of the Melbourne Age said, “When the big fella opens up his chest and lets’ fly with that lusty, rumbling voice, even then it’s as if he’s pulling back on the reins in fear of what might happen to innocent bystanders – it’s that potent”.
His 4th album Two Feather’s, was released in 2008 where Brett Callwood of UK’s major roots publication Acoustic magazine said “Rory Ellis is one of those singer/songwriters, like Leonard Cohen, who makes the hairs on your arms stand up by simply opening his mouth and uttering a few throaty words”. Americana UK describes his voice as “a compelling instrument, it demands attention”. London’s Time Out said of Rory “Salt of the earth country blues”.
Perfectly Damaged, Rory’s 5th studio album was released to huge overseas response in 2010.Geoff Marsden of Blues Matters UK described it as, “captivating”, Jeremy Searle of Americana UK stated “It’s Ellis and his voice that drives it though: a compelling instrument, it demands attention, effortless in its power and the combination of that and his old school storytelling, honed in the hard miles in puts in on the road make this a fine record”. Even our bible of roots music Rhythms Magazine stated “Perfectly Damaged is a winner, in every sense”.
His 6th album Twisted Willow has been also widely received and the reviews continued with a 4 star review in the Melbourne Age in March 2013 and glowing review in Rhythms Magazine. “Where the record really shines though and I’ve mentioned this before, in in Ellis’ voice – so big and rich is it, that you can’t help but be drawn in to whatever he’s singing about, feeling what he’s feeling. It’s a voice made to sing country music which is why his music, and his album, are so simple, yet so effective”.
Rory has recently completed his 7th album, Yellow, a dedication to the life of his mum, with 15 brand new tracks, which was completed in May 2014.
You can read all the quotes about Rory on his website www.roryellis.com , or do a Google search and all that stuff reads very impressively indeed, but the best bet is to go and catch the guy live and you will leave knowing that you have just made a very important visit. Great songs, amazing stories, and a voice that comes from the depths of hell itself, you will love it.
He has arrived in the UK on an open-ended passport!! Welcome to the UK, Rory!
Joining us as the support act will be the no less brilliant Jonathan Tarplee.
Jonathan had initial success when a BBC Horizon show used some of his work for incidental music and shortly afterwards the S.A.S (Surfers Against Sewerage not the other one!) utilized a song for a video soundtrack.
He went on to perform in bands and solo shows supporting the likes of Nick Harper and Attila the Stockbroker and playing venues mainly around the North including The Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival, The Greystones, Liverpool International Festival, The International Eisteddfod (Folk-Friday), The Lomax, The Nantwich Words & Music Festival, Manchester’s Northern Quarter and so on.
His song No Tobacco, No Jesus, an infectious earworm with his band The Blue Yellows, became the summer anthem of 6 Towns Radio before Jonathan re-emerged with his solo album as a contemporary, edgy folk-troubadour with a soulful intensity.
You can read more about Jonathan on his website http://jonathantarplee.com where you’ll also find all his Social Media links.