THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090035
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
TINSLEY ELLIS got into the blues thanks to a King and a string. It was when he was 14 and growing up in Florida.
The guitarist had already been exposed to the blues by listening to all ``that white stuff'' - early Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, the Animals and Them. But this time it was the real thing.
``It was in Miami and I was in the front row of a B.B. King concert,'' Ellis said from his Atlanta home. ``King went up there and just wailed. While he was playing, he broke a string on Lucille (the name of King's guitar). He changed it and handed me that broken string.
``I decided then and there that's all I wanted to do: sing a little bit and then play guitar a little. And I still have that string.''
Ellis, who is touring behind his new album, ``Storm Warning,'' picked up his first guitar at age 7. But that B.B. King experience made him a believer in the giants, including Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker.
``Freddy King became a huge influence,'' Ellis said, who also credits blues greats Buddy Guy and Magic Sam.
Living in Atlanta in 1975 when Southern blues-rock groups such as the Allman Brothers were the rule, Ellis began playing in local blues bands, including The Heartfixers, who recorded four albums on Landslide Records. After going solo, Ellis caught the attention of Chicago-based Alligator Records. ``Georgia Blue'' was released in 1988.
Ellis followed his solo debut with ``Fanning the Flames,'' ``Trouble Time'' and ``Storm Warning,'' which is getting good national reviews. Critics have cited its Southern-rock influences and gritty intensity.
``This one was recorded live in the studio,'' said the soft-spoken Ellis. ``I've never done a live studio recording before, and I loved the result. I think that's now the way to go, it keeps things fresh. It has a nice raw blues feel to it.''
Although he considers himself a bluesman who learned from the masters, Ellis feels his music is a little more. ``We're a blues-rock band. I'm very comfortable with that label.''
His concert Thursday in Virginia Beach will be in keeping with that.
``This is my first all-guitar band in 20 years,'' Ellis said. ``I'll play off of my other guitar player, Oliver Wood, the same guy on the new album. He's quite a find. And I love nothing more than playing with another good guitarist.'' MEMO: CONCERT FACTS
Who: Tinsley Ellis
When: 9:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Jewish Mother, 3108 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach
How much: $7
Information: 451-0890 ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis is touring behind his new album,
``Storm Warning.''
by CNB