Ellis Paul, one of the leading voices of the American singer- songwriter world, returns to NightCat Sunday night, January 15th, at 7:30.
Paul was a regular and favorite performer for years at Andy’s in Chestertown; for some unknown reason we developed a routine of booking a show in early January; it became an annual tradition. Weather in the winter months can play havoc with everyone, but especially with touring musicians. One snowy day in particular I was worried about Paul’s driving as well as the turnout – he insisted on performing and said we could work something out if no one showed up. Well, we had at least 30 people in the house that night, and it was perhaps his best show at Andy’s.
For those of you not familiar with him, here is the official press release. See you at the show.
Paul is a principle leader in the wave of singer/songwriters that emerged from the Boston folk scene, which helped revitalize the national acoustic circuit with an urban, literate, folk/pop style that helped renew interest in the genre in the 1990’s. For years, he has been among the singer songwriter circuit’s most popular and dependable headliners with fiercely loyal fans all over the globe.
Paul’s most current studio album release, “The Day After Everything Changed”, was made possible by contributions from fans, who in return received goods and services such as signed guitars, house concerts and writing a song for a loved one. As an independent artist with his own label Black Wolf Records, Ellis raised over $100k in the middle of a deep recession. The result of this project is an excellent example and true testament to the relationship Ellis has built with his fans and the mutual respect they have for each other.
Ellis’ signature charismatic performance style, has influenced a generation of artists, and draws from blending the appeal of pop blending with the authenticity of folk. He has bridged the gulf between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger more successfully than perhaps any of his songwriting peers. By 1998, Paul was telling the Boston Globe that Woody, to him, was “ground zero, the prototype in a long line of people I’m a huge fan of.” At the start of his career, he put a Woody Guthrie tattoo on his arm, solemnly telling people it was “a commitment.”
In the beginning Ellis was creating a buzz in the open mic scene that would soon produce the most important generation of Boston folk stars since the early ’60s, including Paul, Dar Williams, Vance Gilbert, Jonatha Brooke/ The Story, Martin Sexton, Patty Griffin, and Catie Curtis. Almost immediately, Paul’s infectious melodicism, literate lyrics, and honest performing style drew attention. As early as 1993, the Boston Globe was calling him a “songwriter’s songwriter”, adding that “no emerging songwriter in recent memory has been more highly touted and respected by songwriters.”USA Today did a feature story on Ellis with the headline, “Best Bet for Stardom”. He has had movie and TV placements inclusive of two major motion picture releases by the Farrelly Brothers with his songs; “The World Ain’t Slow’n Down” as the title track from Jim Carrey’s, “Me Myself and Irene”, and “Sweet Mistakes” in “Shallow Hal” starring Jack Black. Paul’s song “If You Break Down” was used in the final scene of the highly anticipated last episode of NBC’s “Ed”.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
7:30 pm
Tickets $20
NightCat
5 Goldsborough St
Easton, MD 21601
410-690-4544
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