God's Tattoos
Memphis-based singer-songwriter Ellis's fifth album abounds with compelling stories and imaginative sounds, often woven around spiritual themes. In the title track, Ellis--who is bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe's godson--sings about acquiring life's scars over a rhumba arranged for guitar, accordion, and washboard. But the surprises begin with "When Leadbelly Walked the River like Christ," a textural solo recital with Ellis blending his Gary Davis-inspired picking and the violin-like sound of an e-bow on his acoustic guitar. And "The Missing Moon and Stars," a instrumental duet for guitar and dolceola (a kind of piano-zither hybrid), has a stately melody and ringing tones that evoke classical guitar compositions. Ellis's fusions sound utterly organic, but he's never too far from his blues bedrock. The drumbeat of the rocking spiritual "Search My Heart" borrows the rhythm of North Mississippi fife and drum bands, and "Dust Will Write My Name"  is a gentle acoustic blues about finding one's Heavenly reward.--Ted Drozdowski