As a member of En Vogue, Terry Ellis was one of the few bright spots on an R&B landscape hopelessly glutted with formulaic, syrupy schmaltz. A creation of songwriter/producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, En Vogue... more » were as prefabricated as the next guys and gals, but once the package came together, boy did they kick ass. Alive with the spirit of hip-hop, and informed by the classic soul and funk of Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and George Clinton--as opposed to the elevator music most current R&B aspires to--the female quartet easily stood out as one of the sassiest and most soulful crossovers since Labelle. Looking to quadruple the singers' output (as well as their profits), McElroy and Foster separated En Vogue into four solo acts--a liquidation that can only be cause for celebration given the prospect of four different follow-ups to En Vogue's 1992 classic, Funky Divas. Unfortunately, Ellis's Southern Gal--the first of the quartet's lone shots--doesn't quite live up to En Vogue's legacy. Though it starts promisingly enough with "She's a Lady," a Southern-fried, violin-streaked, bouncing bass-lined sisterhood anthem, Southern Gal quickly descends into slow-tempo slush and sappy cliches ("It Ain't Over," "Where Ever You Are") that make the songs indistinguishable from each other and from the countless other R&B ballads littering urban radio. The second half offers a bunch of fine moments, however: "Slow Dance"'s flute hook, "You Make Me High"'s gospel-funk chorus, and Ellis's cover of Enchantment's soul-soaked "It's You That I Need." But despite these high points, Southern Gal never recaptures Ellis's Texas homegirl vibe, much less her funky divahood. --Roni Sarig« less
As a member of En Vogue, Terry Ellis was one of the few bright spots on an R&B landscape hopelessly glutted with formulaic, syrupy schmaltz. A creation of songwriter/producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, En Vogue were as prefabricated as the next guys and gals, but once the package came together, boy did they kick ass. Alive with the spirit of hip-hop, and informed by the classic soul and funk of Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and George Clinton--as opposed to the elevator music most current R&B aspires to--the female quartet easily stood out as one of the sassiest and most soulful crossovers since Labelle. Looking to quadruple the singers' output (as well as their profits), McElroy and Foster separated En Vogue into four solo acts--a liquidation that can only be cause for celebration given the prospect of four different follow-ups to En Vogue's 1992 classic, Funky Divas. Unfortunately, Ellis's Southern Gal--the first of the quartet's lone shots--doesn't quite live up to En Vogue's legacy. Though it starts promisingly enough with "She's a Lady," a Southern-fried, violin-streaked, bouncing bass-lined sisterhood anthem, Southern Gal quickly descends into slow-tempo slush and sappy cliches ("It Ain't Over," "Where Ever You Are") that make the songs indistinguishable from each other and from the countless other R&B ballads littering urban radio. The second half offers a bunch of fine moments, however: "Slow Dance"'s flute hook, "You Make Me High"'s gospel-funk chorus, and Ellis's cover of Enchantment's soul-soaked "It's You That I Need." But despite these high points, Southern Gal never recaptures Ellis's Texas homegirl vibe, much less her funky divahood. --Roni Sarig
"Southern Gal by Terry Ellis is a very nice album. I owned two copies of it and gave the other copy to a friend who's never heard of the singer and after he listened to it he said he was pleased and enjoyed it very much from beginning to end. there's
no need to skip or forward any tracks on southern gal. Terry's voice is very soothing and the music is relaxing. Best songs include: "Wherever You Are," "I Don't Wanna Wait Till Tomorrow," "It's You That I Need," and "It Ain't Over (Till It's Over)." And there's even more great songs to be discovered on this CD as well. She can hold her own and sing just great alone without her fellow En Vogue singers: Cindy, Dawn and Maxine. Terry's solo album is far better than Dawn's. It's the kind of album you can listen to over and over and never get tired of. Get this cd today if you don't already have it!"
The Sexy Southern Gal they call Terry
Mikeisha Best | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 11/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most people are familiar with Terry Ellis' group, En Vogue. However, many people aren't familiar with her solo album entitled "Southern Gal". This is unfortunate because this is a remarkable album. This is definitely one of the most relaxed, laid back albums I have ever heard, and I have listened to a lot of albums.
Terry has a beautiful voice. Many know that because of her work with En Vogue. But potential buyers, please don't think that just because Terry isn't accompanied by her band members that she isn't capable of making a quality album by herself. That's the furthest thing from the truth. The album's only single is "Wherever You Are". Many people who heard it liked it. It is a song about going wherever possible to find a long lost love. This is a truly lovely song. "Slow Dance" is another album highlight. Terry gives her listener a bit more sensuality in this song. What fascinates me about Terry is that she has this sexy side to her, but she never loses her class. The track entitled "She's A Lady" pays homage to classy women. Terry lets her listener that this lady is sophisticated, but she doesn't take any mess. It's a really nice tribute. "It Ain't Over" is a good track as well. It's about a couple being able to hold on to their relationship and not breaking up over petty things. As the lyrics say, "Can't keep giving up on love every time."
I love this CD. It's one of my favorites. Terry did her thing and she did it well. There are no fillers, everything is great. I love it. 5 STARS. I will buy anything else Terry releases. She's EN VOGUE by her damn self!
Mikeisha's Top 5
1. Wherever You Are
2. Slow Dance
3. It Ain't Over
4. I Don't Wanna Wait Until Tomorrow
5. I Don't Mind
"
A Wonderful Solo Project
The Reader | Houston, TX United States | 06/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD really displays the beautiful vocal talent of Terry. The songs are laid back with an old school twist to them. It is one of those Cds that put you in a happy mood."
YOU GO TERRY.
Eyebrows | Rockville, MD | 10/22/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Terry was my favorite member of the group En Vogue and I always thought she was the best singer of the group until I realized it was Dawn. Southern Gal is a laid back, mid-tempo album the brings forth another side of Terry. On this solo album, she really pushes her vocals and she proves that she can make it on her own. Unfortunately, this album didn't really sell because of the bad promotion. Overall, this album is really nice if you like the laid back grooves."
Dynamic Solo -Debut!!!!
A. R SCOTT | Houston, Texas | 02/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great cd Terry Ellis did a solo project and she did it very well and I also want to say that I wish that the original members of Envogue would reunite and do some more music together they sung so well together their beautiful voices harmonized us and I would like to see them perform again. Terry an original member of Envogue did a sol debut album and she did a good job she soundsgreat as usual and she has some good lyrics to the songs. My favorite song on the album is What did I do to you? If Envogue doesn't get back together then Terry should do her own album I like this album she also has another song on here that I enjoy She's a lady she has a nice voice and she can sing and this cd has some good songs and Terry has the voice to sing this music so therefore I give this cd 5 stars and I really do enjoy this album and I would recommend anyone who likes EnVogue to buy this album !!!!!"