Tawny Ellis

If Galileo Galilei was famous for his words 'And yet, it moves', one will remember me as the man who said 'and yet, it exists'. And then those who will have known me will specifiy that I meant good country music. With 'Evolve or Die' Tawny Ellis is making a generous contribution to the support of this thesis. Calling this record Country is actually too limiting, but just Americana on the other hand is too generic. Can we agree that it is something in between? Ellis has a voice and a way of singing that reminds grand ladies like Emmylou Harris, Peggy Lee or Pasty Cline. Of the latter she brings a great cover of 'Sweet Dreams'. If have a look at the accompanying photo, I think few would mind Tawny having sweet dreams of them. Except for the final slot cover of Bill Mack's 'Blue' and the breathtakingly beautiful 'Endless Black Ribbon', a trucker's wife song by Red Simpson, all the songs have been written by Ellis, some in collaboration with producer Giovanni Loria - who also worked with Jack Johnson, The Black Eyed Peas and Everlast. Ellis is being very well accompanied (you'll recognise immediately Scarlet Rivera's violin on three of the tracks!) and the arrangements are exquisite, with a little modern touch here and there, that however never spoils the classic feeling. A beautiful example is the fabulous title song which is carried by a solid piano base that we remember from the Rick Rubin Johnny Cash collaborations. Or take 'I Already Know You' where Damian Fanelli shines on electric guitar. The magic is complete on 'Come Back To My House': here the worlds of Dylan's 'Blood On The Tracks' and 'Desire' collide and Ellis sings with a passion without exaggerating and helped by a stellar arrangement. Tawny Ellis is going to tour this spring and summer and is coming our way. Something to look forward to. Evolve Or Die... if you ask us to, it'll be our pleasure, Tawny.

It’s a strange phenomenon of Los Angeles that many of its most talented artists are more well known elsewhere than in their own backyard. That’s true of musicians, too, and Tawny Ellis is a perfect example; a supremely talented vocalist and songwriter whose musical roots include Patsy Cline, The Pretenders and Neil Young (she also claims Michaelangelo, David Bowie and Ernest Hemingway, though these are less obvious) who is more well known in Arkansas and Belgium than in L.A. -- except, perhaps, among knowledgeable aficionados. She is one of those performers who you just know is going places – although in fairness, she ‘s already been a few (Arkansas and Belgium are just two) and you’ve probably her on movie and TV soundtracks. The title song of her latest album, “Evolve or Die,” is featured on the track of “women of the West,” an upcoming feature that reunites most of the cast of the HBO series, “Deadwood.” “Evolve or Die” is a playful, soulful and rich exploration of country consisting of mostly original songs. It is an excellent showcase for Ellis’ vocal range and her songwriting talent. There’s a touch of blues (“Train”) and a delightful Bill Mack composition (“Blue”) that includes some truly masterful guitar work and a nostalgic bit of scratchy-record post-production that fits perfectly. Ellis has knife-edged, crystal-clear, pitch-perfect voice that can quiver and twang, soar to delicate heights and swoop to a rich, guttural fullness: what holds it all together is her heart-wrenching emotional presence at the center of the song.

LA-centric chanteuse evolves into countrified troubadour Ms Ellis, formerly a purveyor of a rock oriented rootsy brand of Americana, turns out “Evolve or Die”, a third full-length that exhibits strong country leanings. She dives into her countrified aesthetic with gusto and a straight face, and pulls it off wonderfully. The opening couple of tracks are all bouncing Gibson rhythm and twanging Telecaster, lyrics of heartbreak sung in a soaringly beautiful and world-weary voice. It’s country, true blue and full of heart and honesty. It’s also a very bracing way to open a record and an approach that Ellis could have easily sustained throughout the rest of the track list, but the sound ultimately approaches a broader kind of Americana. The title track and album highlight strides along over a marching band drumbeat, buoyed by a gospel choir backing and in this way managing to be both stirring and soulful. “Train” is jaunty and jazz inflected, ethereal and strange, vocals distant with reverb, and “Come On Back to My House” is a bittersweet and defiant slice of alt. country, swelling with elegiac grandeur. “Evolve or Die” was a wonderful surprise. It’s smart and sweet, managing to sound fresh while operating within established and well worn musical conventions, centred around a very genuine emotional core and delivered with passion and conviction in a truly beautiful voice. Ms Ellis, it seems, is evolving into a very exciting artist. Date review added: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Reviewer: Alex Cleary Reviewers Rating: 8 of 10

“Evolve or Die” is already the third album for Ellis and the title track of this album was used in the new HBO film “A woman in the West”, that brings together once more the main cast of DeadWood. Leading track of the album “Baby you’re the one” is one of the current singles of the album that hit the airwaves as is the second track “ Endless Black Ribbon”. Both are 100% country tunes as are many other songs on this album! This marks Tawny deriving an more specific sound instead of the sometimes rather general Americana moniker. On “Train” without doubt one of the better tunes on the album, we hear a more “rocking” Tawny Ellis. Here she is mixing early Rockabilly influences with alt.country into a appealing tune that keeps lingering on for a long time. “I Already know” is also a great tune, with reflections of old country influences. Here you can hear once more the possibilities of her voice and the song writing talent of Tawny Ellis and her musical partner Giovanni Loria! “Sweet dreams” the patsy Cline tune takes us once more to classic country territory as does “Blue” the Bill Mack tune. Evolve or die is simply said a great country album for both purists as lovers of the newer genres of country.

From Rock to Rockabilly, singer/songwriter Tawny Ellis cannot be classified under any genre when it comes to the musical range of her sometimes sultry, sometimes gritty, sometimes delicate, but always pure, vocals. Ellis’ vocal quality is never distant: it reaches quite deep, and before you know it, you are humming a tune from her latest album, Evolve or Die. Ellis has a vulnerability and openness to her vocals on this CD that has not been heard since the likes of Patsy Cline. Ellis writes and crafts all the original lyrics, while Giovanni Loria, her long time writing partner, co-wrote and produced the album. Ellis loves to write original music, but finds great joy from reinterpreting old classics like Endless Black Ribbon, bringing them the attention and respect they deserve today. Ellis’ is happiest when she is in a room playing live with her band, or other musicians. Unlike the layered studio feel, Tawny feels more comfortable when she is not fighting for musical space in an overproduced, environment. Evolve or Die, evolved from that space of simplicity that only live performance brings. This process is continuing into her next album she is working on. Ellis is keeping the landscape clear, and letting her voice come through organically. Finally making albums she wants to make with friends where she lives, and works. Less is more, as far as she is concerned, and she can certainly evolve, and relax into that. Ellis took her involvement with the Hear Me Project, and R-Bar as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the project. Hear Me raises funds in order to create music and video studios (pods) for orphans globally. Plans are in the works to do an international tour in conjunction with International House of Blues and Live Nation for another fundraising event. Stay tuned. Music Review Carol Gehring

Tawny Ellis, born in Savannah, Georgia lives and works now in Los Angeles, California. Her own strong and confident musical talent relies on her unique original lyrics and interpretations. Evolve Or Die is already her third C.D. following her much praised Shelter. Evolve Or Die is simple, clean and sparse, complementing her personality and her variety of song arrangements to match the diversity of many American traditions. 6 out of 9 songs were written by herself or in collaboration with her partners. She does not like to be categorized or pinned down in a style or direction which actually seems to suit her well and gives her great long term advantage in the music world. The singer/songwriter has a very high standard of song writing and a very natural voice and sound which gaines her increasing respect with a wider audience. Her musical influences reach from Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris to Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan , Neil Young, Kurt Cobain, David Bowie and even the Pretenders. Her broad variety of musical mixes and influences keeps her in tow with all her predecessors. With her latest album she gained success in the Country Music arena with pieces like “Endless Black Ribbon“, the opening „Baby Your The One“, and the Patsy Cline-classic, Sweet Dreams“ and LeAnn Rimes’ famous Bill Mack-number Blue“. A special highlight with a touch of Rockabilly Tawny Ellis original "Train“ ,shows off her talented rock n roll side. Evolve Or Die is a very successful and exciting mix showing the various talents of this beautiful singer/songwriter that you should not ignore.