Scott Ellison – Ice Storm

During the 1970s, Scott's home town of Tulsa, Oklahoma was a hotbed of musical talent. Eric Clapton's rhythm section and Freddie King's band were both based in Tulsa, as was Leon Russell's Shelter Records. Influenced by the british invasion bands, moved by the sounds of motown, and touched by the soulfulness of Rhythm and Blues music coming out of Memphis, Scott organized his first band as a youngster.
In 1977, he began touring as a guitar player with Jessica James (Conway Twitty's daughter), and by 1981 "Gatemouth" Brown had tapped scott to play rhythm in his band. By the 1990s, Scott had formed a blues band and was opening shows for such legends as Joe Cocker, Roy Orbison, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Leon Russell, Bobby Bland and Buddy Guy. He considers opening for B.B. King at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in January, 2008 a major highlight of his career.
A prolific songwriter, Scott has composed and released numerous CDs. Cold Hard Cash, produced by Dennis Walker of Robert Cray fame, featuring all songs written by Scott and Dennis, Live At Joey's, Chains Of Love and Bad Case Of The Blues have all been well received.
Scott's compositions have been played on the soundtracks of several popular TV shows, including "Buddy The Vampire Slayer," an MTV movie, and the 2007 movie, "Feast Of Love," starring Morgan Freeman.

Track Listing:
1. Steamin' - 3:29   2. Big Blue Car - 4:16   3. Pride - 3:18   4. 4th of July - 4:21   5. King of the Blues - 3:22   6. Keys to My Heart - 4:15   7. I'm in Trouble - 4:49   8. Cadillac Woman - 3:18   9. Who Will Be the Fool - 4:07   10. Why'd Ya Lie to Me - 3:12   11. Ice Storm - 3:10   12. Where You Stand with Me - 4:37

Personnel:
Scott Ellison (vocals, guitars on 1,5,8,9,11, slide guitar, acoustic guitar, bass on 10) , Rick Robbins (electric guitar on 9) ,  Ron Getman (acoustic guitar on 6) , Armando Copean (bass on 1,2,3,4,5,7,8) , Casey Van Beek (bass on 6,9) , Tex Wagonor (upright bass on 11) , Steve Crane (bass on 12) , Rick Scholossier (drums on 1,2,3,4,5,7,8) , Chuck Blackwell (drums, shakers on 6) ,  Rick Heck (drums on 6) , Jimmy Karstein (drums on 10) , Bill Belknap (drums on 11) , Kai Ballard (drums on 12) , Tom Canning (Hammond B3 organ on 1,2,4,5,7,8) , Dick Sims (Hammond B3 organ, piano on 9) , Ronny Floyd (Hammond B3 organ, piano on 12) , Larry Bell (piano on 3) , Rocky Frisco (piano on 10) , Spencer Sutton (piano on 11) , Terry Lupton (keyboard sampling on 2) , Don Colpy (trumpet) , Keith Cooper (trombone) , Curt Limburger (saxophone) , The Vine Street Horns (on 2,7) , The Duke of Soul Horns (on 12) , Preston Smith (harmonica on 4) , Bobbi Davis (background vocals on 2) , Scott Ellison  (background vocals on 6) , Linda Jackson  (background vocals on 2,5,8) , Terry Lupton  (background vocals on 1,5) , Linda Smith (background vocals on 4) , Max Wisley  (background vocals on 6)

Reviews:

1. AllMusic - Greg Prato
Hailing from Tulsa, OK, singer/guitarist Scott Ellison can sing and solo with the best of the blues-rockers circa the early 21st century, and 2008's Ice Storm certainly proves this fact. As with most of the artists on the Earwig label, Ellison isn't afraid to merge his blues-rock with horn accompaniments, and the end result is certain to please fans of the genre. Standout tracks include the horn/guitar solo smorgasbord known as "Big Blue Car," the slightly funky-ish "Pride," and the blues shuffle "Cadillac Woman," as well as the speedy instrumental title track. Although he's been on the music scene since the '70s, there's no question that Ellison has certainly hit his groove on Ice Storm.

2. www.chicagobluesguide.com - Karen Brault
Scott Ellison is becoming a highly acclaimed blues artist of our day. And for good reason. Ellison’s latest CD Ice Storm has captured his most outstanding features as a blues-rock artist and musician/songwriter. Ellison shines bright on Ice Storm and draws the listener in with his powerful talents and strong vocal attributes that lay hold of the excellence and creativity in his original songs. Ellison shares with the listener a deep, soulful blues experience that showcases his multi-dimensional  talents on this great CD.
Scott Ellison kicks off this CD with “Steamin,” a classy little number that is so right for its name. Classic, walking bass lines and a punctuating beat set the scene with a wicked blues strut feel. “Steamin” kicks in with a rock-blues guitar style that is tough with texture and attitude. Seasoned with the smart growl of a Hammond B-3 organ and topped with Ellison’s dynamic vocals, this song is hot!
“Big Blues Car” takes a ride with a fat funky groove and features a full horn section that is the backbone of this song. The deeply expressive lead guitar melts over this tune with long sustained notes that bend with a soulful cry. A funky rhythm guitar and bass line, along with a Hammond organ and keyboard sampling, adds stylistic attitude and variety.  Ellison’s raspy vocals have an authoritative grip which is contrasted by the polished, harmonized back-up vocals of Bobbi Davis and Linda Jackson.
“Ice Storm” is the title track of this excellent CD, which takes the listener into the style of jump blues. Featuring the full sounds of The Dukes of Soul Horns, “Ice Storm” is a tight, high-energy instrumental that goes full-tilt and hits you with a knock-out punch. Ellison plays his guitar hot, fast and furious in unison with the horn arrangements that are smoking.
There are so many fine songs on this blues CD, and just not enough space to write about them all. Ice Storm is simply a great CD. I am placing this one at the top of my blues CD list.