Rory Ellis

In 2006 he completed his 4th successful UK tour and has performed at festivals such as Larmer Tree Festival, Fylde Folk Festival, Southsea Festival, Eastleigh Festival, Christchurch Festival, Marlborough Festival, Middlewich Festival, Broadstairs Festival, Great British R&B Festival, Londons RESPECT Festival, Strawberry Fayre, and many more, as well as venues, theatres and arts centres all over the UK including, New Forest Arts Centre, The Acorn Theatre, Komedia Theatre, London’s famous Borderline, The Spitz and The Garage to name a few. Whilst on tour in the UK he has also supported, amongst others, Eric Bibb, Chumbawamba, The Beautiful Girls, Rory McLeod and Gordon Haskell and has performed on air live on BBC Jersey, Cornwall, Devon, Cumbria, Leicester, Blackburn among others and will be returning there in 2008 to release his 4th solo album "Two Feathers".
Rory launched his debut CD "Ride" in March 2001 to a four star review in The Age EG section by Lyall Johnson who challenged the readers, "If you're not deeply moved by this superb debut by Melbourne singer-songwriter Rory Ellis, it's doubtful you're human. Ellis, with his wonderfully deep, resonant voice, plumbs the depths of the human experience to come up with a sophisticated, inspiring album of predominantly earthy ballads about life on the streets."
Jackey Coyle of Rhythms acclaimed "Road Of The Braver Man" (released in 2003) that "the quality of Rory Ellis's voice alone the richness of the timbre, the skill of his technique – that he conveys an irresistable charisma, and that's not even counting his song writing skills. The first few verses I heard, I was done for – instant fan. Ellis's particular style, was melded living in a boxing gym, honed playing in Melbourne pubs, polished gigging on the festival circuit He recorded this, his second solo album, over three days live in the studio with no less than Dave Steel (guitars, accordion, percussion, mandolin and it's celtic cousin the cittern)". Coyle's enthusiasm continues, "He is a master of light and shade, of knowing when not to sing in order to give full effect."
The Melbourne native, now residing in Drysdale has spent many years touring locally and internationally with his alt country slash blues based music, he takes inspiration from his homeland and the varied histories of its people, and from his own eventful life. Audiences at Rory's numerous festival appearances and intimate performances have been captivated by his powerful vocal command and subtle acoustic instrumentation that bring the vivid stories to life.
His third record, "The Rushes", like his debut CD, "Ride", also earned him four stars in The Age EG from Jeff Glorfeld who's opening paragraph reads, "When the big fella opens up his chest and lets fly with that lusty, rumbling voice, even then it's as if he's pulling back on the reins in fear of what might happen to innocent bystanders – it's that potent". Rory himself says of "The Rushes", "the stark minimalist quality to it, takes me back to my roots of blues and country music, the stuff that made me want to write music in the first place".
Now back in the studio once again, Rory continues to craft songs in his trademark urban folk sound. Entitled "Two Feathers", his fourth album is something of a masterpiece both in terms of both song-writing and production. Fusing acoustic and electric instruments into a rich sounding album, true in tone, with a warmth that only embellishes the mood of this stunning piece of work, like a trip back to the old vinyls we knew and loved.
The album was recorded by Rory Ellis at the Drysdale Manor, underground with Barry Stockley at Fatsound in Melbourne and produced by Rory Ellis and Dave Steel. It includes songs about childhood hideaways on the tin roof of the old shed and primitive thoughts of flight from its lofty heights, dreams of finding home in strange lands, new love, new chapters, through to poignant songs about regret, separation, the passing of his long-time stage cohort, the involvement of Australians in the Iraq conflict, from the perspective of their families, government and public. The Sydney riots and its racist tones, unfair work laws, Johnny Cash's last album, and the kids that hang around the streets of his home town.
Reviews
Review: Worthenbury Blues & Roots Festival
Jun 30 2009 Chester Chronicle
WORTHENBURY BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL/Worthenbury Village
REVIEWS/by Lionel Ross & Grahame Rhodes

Ashamedly I must admit to not having heard of Rory Ellis before the festival . . . . wow, he was without doubt most people's star of the day! Coming across as a Melbourne hybrid of Johnny Cash, Steve Earle and Tom Russell, his rootsy tales of childhood, politics and more were just superb, with his strumming guitar and banjo work beautifully fleshed out by Alex Roberts more intricate guitar and lap slide - this guy having driven six hours from Poole to play the set! A reprise of "Work" saw some audience participation, with another