Ellis Paul - Acoustic in Paris

Last night show was in the intimate underground den at La Pomme d’Eve inside Paris. Ellis Paul (Boston, MA.) took the stage about 21H15 and in 60 seconds had the attention of the packed house. No little feat this and he did it not with loud notes, speed picking or the like but with subtlety, grace and space. He kindly and as a gentleman opened a door and invited us into his world. Ellis is a "folksinger" in the traditional sense of the word. He told us stories of everyday folks ("Maria's Beautiful Mess", "The World Ain't Slowing Down"), sometimes his own story ("Paris In A Day", "3,000 Miles") or just stories ("Jukebox On My Grave" "She Was"). Accompanying himself expertly on acoustic 6-string guitar, in every case the music and guitar playing served the song, the music the vehicle of the story. Ellis Paul has an amazing instrument in his voice. High, clear and bright, he effortlessly soared, many times away from an unneeded microphone to deliver with grace and vigor his beautiful melodies. A special mention must be made regarding Paul's musical addition to a Woody Guthrie poem. Apparently after Woody's death his family asked various songwriters to put music to some of his unrecorded works. To hear some forgotten Woody Guthrie lyric (in this case "Gods Promise") brought back to life with Paul's musical accompaniment was an achingly beautiful and magical moment. Most excellent!! Ellis Paul is an accomplished performer, an excellent guitar player and singer and a gifted writer. He certainly turned my head around about what contemporary folksingers are about. A most welcome reintroduction to a long neglected musical world for myself.

Bookerfatz2

Ellis Paul – La Pomme d’Eve, Paris – May 18, 2006

1. WORDS
2. MARIA’S BEAUTIFUL MESS
3. JUKEBOX ON MY GRAVE
4. ALL THE SKY YOU NEED
5. ALICE’S CHAMPAGNE PALACE
6. 3.000 MILES
7. TIME (?)
8. SHE WAS
9. BAD BAD BLOOD
10. THE WORLD AIN’T SLOWING DOWN
11. BLACKTOP TRAIN
12. IF YOU BREAKDOWN
13. DID GALILEO PRAY
14. GOD’S PROMISE
15. SPEED OF TREES
16. KISS THE SUN
17. PARIS IN A DAY
18. LET IT BE (with Amy Rigby)
19. THE ONLY WAY
20. (?) (a Ray Bonneville song)

• Listen to Ellis Paul’s Sweet Mistakes on: http://www.myspace.com/ellispaul
• Official website, bio and tour dates on: http://www.ellispaul.com/

Thanks to Hervé Oudet for the evening, the picture and the setlist.
Next acoustic evening is scheduled on June 8 at the Pomme d’Eve with Vince Bell and Hayward Williams. More information on: http://www.acousticinparis.com/