Search - Ellis Hooks :: Uncomplicated

Best CD of 2004 (So Far)!!!

Terence M. Kelley | Oklahoma | 06/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great disc!!!I hadn't heard of Ellis Hooks, until I read the review of this CD in Tracks. I was intrigued and thought I'd order it from Amazon. What I got in the mail a short time later was nothing short of phenomenal.Ellis combines soul, blues, R&B (REAL R&B-not hip-hop), and a little country twang into a compelling package of highly original and memorable songs. The album starts very strong with "It's Going to Take Some Time" a stirring and moving ballad, and continues with "Forty Days and Forty Nights" and "Can't Take This No More" leading into the bluesy stomp of "Sweet Justina." These four numbers are probably the strongest album opening I've heard in a some time. The album doesn't end there though. Continuing on through the inspirational "Hand of God" and the ironic "She Locked the Door," Hooks' songwriting impresses throughout the entire album. Is Hooks the proverbial "best singer-songwriter you've never heard of?" Yes. Who does he compare to? Impossible to say. If you put a gun to my head, I'd say a combination of Otis Redding and Bob Dylan, but I prefer to let this disc spin and just enjoy. Buy this disc; it's the best record yet put out this year and hopefully heralds the arrival of a new take on the classic American singer-songwriter."

Americana soul

Terence M. Kelley | 04/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had not heard of Hooks until this record. What a talent - amazing singer. Completely original soul music - steeped in the classics (Otis Redding, Sam Cooke) but not imitative. The songs come from the heart and are not some phony recreation. Veers from straight soul to country to pop to blues.
Lively great stuff. Highly recommended."