When the Scenery Cracks
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 06/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Mystic Bridge" is as amazing as it is unusual. As the first release on Ellen's own label, she offers herself few constraints. Ellen spent her first 15 years in Japan. The cover photo shows the Kodai-Ji Zen Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Recorded in Calgary Canada, Ellen works with a tightly knit internationally based band. Cassius Khan, who liner notes tell us was born in Fiji & grew up in Canada, plays tablas that feature prominently on all tracks. The eight-minute meditation that closes the CD, "The Question/Darbari Raag" has Ellen reciting Christine Steele's translation of the Urdu poem by Shakeel Badayuni interlaced with vocals with Khan & herself, "When all illusion is stripped away; When the scenery cracks & crumbles and the props fall over & the stage is struck, will you take me home my Father?" My favorite track is the six-minute "Sidu" with Ellen's vibrant non-English vocals traveling the scale in Indian style. The track surges and pulses with energy and Linsey Wellman on what sounds like flute. One of Ellen's early albums was "We the People." Her version here is born again delightfully with tablas and Ellen's pyrotechnics on acoustic "slide" guitar. Other tracks like the uplifting positive message of "Save the World" and the CD opener "Take Me to the River" also shine. This set is an acoustic international fusion of sound, hard to describe because of its diversity. However, when the CD has played, it leaves you with a satisfied smile because ALL of it works well. Bravo!"
She's the best!
K. Watson | 10/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have yet to hear her sing something I didn't like. I saw her in concert and she wasn't "obnoxious and rude". Maybe she was going through a rough time- how do you know? Anyone who has listened to her other albums knows that she is incredible!"
Forget the mystic - just close your eyes & listen
Sub Zero | 09/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Ellen with Margaret Roadknight live in Sydney Australia around 1983 with a group of mates because we were into blues big time. When Ellen walked on stage - introduced by Margaret, and the two of them sat down and we all listened to the first few licks from Ellen, we were all totally transfixed. We sat out the rest of the concert in complete silence. Never had I (17 at the time), and never have I since (you do the math), experienced such a phenomenal performance. She interacted with the audience a lot, played slide like nothing earthly possible, and sang with a voice that cut straight to your soul. It was a profound musical experience.
Ellen defies categorizing, however if you want to hear some of the most "extra-ordinary" slide guitar work ever recorded, with a voice that resonates within you long after you hear it, then have a listen.
And while I don't own all her albums, this one connects with me like that concert did. If you own any of Ellen's albums and you love even just one of them, then buy this one - because you'll get it. If you've never owned an Ellen album but you've bought this album and you love 'some' of it, then buy something like The Real Ellen McIlwaine/Everybody Needs It - you're in for a real treat!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1