Tinsley Ellis: Moment Of Truth

Longtime blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis has once again crafted an album that the elders of the genre would be proud of. The rather funky groove of “Say Too Much” is a bit of Sly and The Family Stone, yet Ellis’ Clapton-circa-Cream-meaty chops seal the deal. “Somebody” sounds a tad too mundane. Fortunately Ellis generally sticks to what he does best which is a strong and genuine effort on the B.B. King-ish “You’re Gonna Thank Me” which features some blistering picking and solos. Meanwhile “Tell the Truth” is a slower but equally stellar piece of work that glides along easily. The same can be said of the delectable “Too Much of Everything” which has too much guitar (in my book that is never, ever a bad thing). Perhaps the highlight here is the creepy, crawler “Freeway Soul” which brings to mind the likes of Robert Cray as it slinks along as does the soulful “Sleep on It”.