About this user
2006 has seen the release of an album that is getting as much attention as the man who, to quote Jeff Glorfeld of The Age; "is one of those quintessential Australian singer-songwriters with buckets of talent, heaps of stories to tell, and impossible to pigeonhole. He's got blues man in him, some soul belter, red-dirt country and home-grown folkie."
Rory Ellis has performed at many major festivals in Australia over the years including, Port Fairy Folk Festival, National folk Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival and just recently completed his fourth tour of the UK in 2006. On recent tours Rory has performed at festivals such as Larmer Tree Festival, Fylde Folk Festival, Southsea Festival, Eastleigh Festival, Christchurch Festival, Marlborough Festival, Middlewich Festival, Broadstairs Festival, Great British R&B Festival and many more, as well as venues, theatres and arts centres all over the UK including, New Forest Arts Centre, The Acorn Theatre, Komedia Theatre, London's famous Borderline, The Spitz and The Garage to name a few.
Whilst on tour in the UK he has also supported, amongst others, Eric Bibb, Chumbawamba, The Beautiful Girls, Rory McLeod and Gordon Haskell and has performed live to air on BBC Jersey, Cornwall, Devon, Cumbria, among others. Rory will be returning again in 2007 to perform at various theatres, venues and festivals across the UK including the famous Glastonbury Festival.
Ellis launched his debut CD "Ride" in March 2001 to a four star review in The Age EG section by Lyall Johnson who challenged the readers, "If you're not deeply moved by this superb debut by Melbourne singer-songwriter Rory Ellis, it's doubtful you're human. Ellis, with his wonderfully deep, resonant voice, plumbs the depths of the human experience to come up with a sophisticated, inspiring album of predominantly earthy ballads about life on the streets."
Jackey Coyle of Rhythms acclaimed "Road Of The Braver Man" (released in 2003) that "the quality of Rory Ellis's voice alone the richness of the timbre, the skill of his technique - that he conveys an irresistable charisma, and that's not even counting his song writing skills. The first few verses I heard, I was done for - instant fan. Ellis's particular style, that he calls "urban folk", was melded living in a boxing gym, honed playing in Melbourne pubs, polished gigging on the festival circuit He recorded this, his second solo album, over three days live in the studio with no less than Dave Steel (guitars, accordion, percussion, mandolin and it's celtic cousin the cittern)". Jackey's enthusiasm continues, "He is a master of light and shade, of knowing when not to sing in order to give full effect."
The Melbourne native has spent many years touring locally and internationally with his eclectic sound of roots, folk and blues based music, he takes inspiration from his homeland and the varied histories of its people, and from his own eventful life. Audiences at Rory's numerous festival appearances and intimate performances have been captivated by his powerful vocal command and subtle acoustic instrumentation that bring the vivid stories to life.
His latest album "The Rushes" like his debut CD "Ride" also earned him four stars in The Age EG from Jeff Glorfeld who's opening paragraph reads, "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".
Rory himself says of "The Rushes", "the stark minimalist quality to it, takes me back to my roots of blues and country music, the stuff that made me want to write music in the first place".
roryellis65
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