Search - Ellen Mcilwaine :: Women in (E)motion

The Original Indie Rocker......Rocks!

R. dolce | evanston, illinois United States | 02/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For over thirty years, Ellen McIlwaine has been flying well below the radar of rock criticism, creating eclectic, idiosyncratic, occasionally challenging, frequently brilliant music despite the lack of a mass audience. Refusing to be peddled as a mass produced female singer-songwriter, willing to take musical risks, unashamed of her considerable talent and unafraid to flaunt her sexuality as much as any blues performer, McIlwaine has remained uncompromising: The result has been a body of work that is always worth listening to.On her first live album McIlwaine plays in a talent rich power trio in front of a small, enthusiastic audience in Bremen, Germany. Bassist Leo Valvassari proves extremely adaptable; whether playing countermelodies below the lead, snapping and popping like Larry Graham or holding down the rhythm for the others he quietly and consistently creates throughout the session. Drummer Randall Coryell seems to have perfected a style best described as "reggae-metal". His sharp attack, deft command of polyrhythms, liberal use of rudiments and authoritative rim shots make him sound like equal parts Stuart Copeland, B.J.Wilson and George Foreman. McIlwaine plays with a great sound, a dirty blues distortion reminiscent of the early tube type amplifiers which really sets off her playing. Her style is very busy though never showy or self indulgent. She moves effortlessly from rock to blues to funk to reggae to qawwali (she is the only western slide guitarist I've heard who has both the ear and control to consistently find the quarter tones between the standard western notes).Despite divergent sounds the trio fits together wonderfully, creating a loose, freewheeling sound that, combined with McIlwaine's sense of playfulness, is a thrill to hear. And it ROCKS. Add to this McIlwaine's unique arrangements and the set is one of a kind. She performs an a capella version of John Lee Hooker's "Crawling Kingsnake", a savage, guitar driven cover of the Isley Brothers' "Fight The Power", a straight blues "I'm A Woman" that would do Koko Taylor proud and the Bahamian spiritual, "Bid You Good Night" becomes a good time closer. Her own compositions are very tight; "Howl At The Moon" in particular.This CD is essential for anyone who loves live music. It captures one of rock's greatest talents performing for an appreciative crowd with, based on the occasional missed note and heave breathing between sung lines, few apparent overdubs. It's exciting, playful and lets you know that good music can be fun."

All Power To The Blues

R. J MOSS | Alice Springs, Australia | 01/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joy of joys to avail myself of another chapter in McIlwaine's long career. Gauging by (E)motion, Ellen's powers were in full flight on the ocassion of this scintillating night in Bremen, 1997.(No longer need I associate the town with that old tale(Grimms?) of the Three Musicians of Bremen). Now there is a fourth musician! She kicks off with the self-penned,'Save The World' and then, like an demented Warren Zevon(on the streets of dark London),'Howls At the Moon'. Superlatives have regularly attended her work and, though Big Show Time has eluded her, her solid fan base has greedily snapped up every offering. Hendrix's,'May this be Love' features the most sublime slide work and is followed by Hooker's,'Kingsnake' used as a vehicle for her prodigous vocal acrobatics. There is no female voice more thrilling than McIlwaines' in the Blues/Rock arena. It's natural power requires only the slightest shifts to soar, to woo, to console or rage. Her conversion of Big Muddy's,'I'm a Man' claims a parallel affirmation.'Bid You Goodnight', replete with her incomparable yodel, retains some of the joyous intent of its 'traditional' Jamaican ancestry, in addition to facilitating gratitude to all us participants in the McIlwaine fest."