"A traditionalist that captures the energy I saw in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I shared the stage with him. A great CD - I love it."
-- Levon Helm

Scott Ellison isn't one to waste time. Signed by Burnside Records in the spring of 2001, his label debut, Cold Hard Cash, exposed Scott's versatility as a singer, songwriter and talented guitar player. In 2003 the Oklahoma native delivers Bad Case Of The Blues a mature and distinctly progressive outing full of melody, grace and blues. Recorded at Ellison's own Home Front Studios in Tulsa, OK, the disc displays a maturity that is best described as capturing his melodic songwriting with the fire of his live set. "I feel this is more my baby," says Ellison "Cold Hard Cash was produced by Dennis Walker (Robert Cray) and though I really enjoyed the process, I wanted this record to have more of my stamp on it."

Ellison's influences are clearly apparent in the phrasing of Bad Case Of The Blues. The Steely Dan texture of "Fantasy" radiates his passion for hook-filled melodies. "Pain Full Love," pays tribute to the energy of Stevie Ray Vaughan where "Whiskey and Rum" highlight his love of Muddy Waters. Then there's the Elmore James inspired roadhouse "Voodoo Curse" - a rowdy foot-stomper now famous at the end of Ellison's live set. "I write a lot of songs and play them live before I commit to recording them," expresses the guitarist. "I also record a lot before I pick just the right numbers to put on a CD."

Surrounding himself with top musicians, Ellison hand selected Tulsa's highest rated session men including Eric Clapton's organist Dick Simms and percussionist Jimmy Karstein. Also featured on several of the record's tracks are local greats, Mike Turner (rhythm guitar), Jim Pugh (Hammond B3 organ), Jim Strader (bass) and Bill Belknap (drums). "I wanted a record that had peaks and valleys," says Ellison. "One that would breathe, moving easily from song to song. I spent as much time milling over the running order as I did selecting the songs."

Ellison caught the music bug at an early age - February 13, 1964, to be exact - and just like every other 9-year-old that was watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan that night, he fell in love with the guitar. During the '70s, Tulsa was a hotbed of musical talent. Eric Clapton and Freddie King's bands were both based out of Tulsa, as well as Leon Russell's label, Shelter Records. Electrified by the British Invasion as well as the sounds of Motown and touched by the soulfulness that was rhythm & blues, Ellison formed his own band in 1977. He began touring with country singer Jessica James (Conway Twitty's daughter), and by 1981, veteran bluesman Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown plucked the energetic guitarist as rhythm player for his own band.

A move to Los Angeles during the mid-'80s found Scott playing and touring with the likes of The Box Tops, The Shirelles, The Coasters and Peaches and Herb. By the 1990s, Scott formed his own blues band and opened up shows for such legends as Joe Cocker, Roy Orbison, The Fabulous T-birds and Buddy Guy. Writing constantly, Scott was able to compose enough material to record and release his first two solo efforts, Chains of Love (Quicksilver Records) and Live at Joey's (Red Hot Records). Both records reflected his love for the blues and his talent as a writer. Returning back to his home in Tulsa, Scott teamed up with longtime friend Terry Lupton to write 10 more original tunes for his next release, Steamin' (Fishhead Records), which garnered much critical acclaim. Ellison then co-wrote and recorded One Step from the Blues (JSE), a Tulsa sound rhythm & blues record featuring a number of well-known Tulsa musicians.

As a songwriter, Scott has had his songs featured on the hit TV shows 'Sister Sister,' 'Eye on L.A.' the steamy soap opera 'Santa Barbara' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' Burnside Records is proud to release Bad Case Of The Blues available at all fine record stores, by mail-order through Burnside Records or online at www.burnsiderecords.com. Scott is currently touring across the U.S., Canada and Europe with accompanying radio and retail in-store performances.

Check out Scott's Tour Schedule

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PARTNERS IN THE BLUES

When skilled craftsmen lovingly perform their jobs to the utmost of their abilities often strong, lasting and worthy projects result; and every once in a while, a work of true and lasting art is created. "Partners in the Blues" is just that kind of musical work-of-art that will stand as a testament to the brilliance of the musicians involved in its birth and to the two bandleaders and partners, whose creative vision and massive talent, carry their genre to another level.

The extraordinary Jackie Payne has one of the great soul voices of our time, mesmerizing in its depth, harrowing in its power. He's a more-than-vital lead-vocal veteran of bands of legend such as those of Johnny Otis, Aaron "T-Bone" Walker, Johnny "Clyde" Copeland, Albert Collins, Gatemouth Brown, Lowell Fulson, Freddie King, and Pee Wee Crayton. Payne's command of stage and studio more than favorably compares with the greatest acts in the business. This forty-year show business veteran, still maintaining the reserved intensity of the wind preceding a hurricane, has literally sung his gospel and blues-heavy song around the world, and that international perspective provides deep and rich rewards to his listeners. Those looking for a supreme vocalist performing with consummate emotion and musical vision have found their voice.

Jackie has been lucky to find a gifted partner and musical counterpart to match his passion and drive. Fiery, blues & soul-drenched guitarist Steve Edmonson has been an integral part of every musical group he's ever played with. His tours and performances with bluesmen such as James Cotton, Luther Tucker, Syl Johnson, and Rusty Zinn - in addition to four years with the show band The Dynatones - have helped him develop into an extraordinary musical talent. Playing with taste, bite, fury and restraint Edmonson's response to Payne's call is note-perfect.

The synergy that Steve and Jackie bring along in their unique approach to classic R&B combines the best of soul's golden era with an iron-willed fidelity to modern blues drive and sophistication. Sharp dressed, playing in the company of some of the most gifted musicians in the country (including Rusty Zinn, June Core, Austin DeLone, Jimmy Pugh, Carl Green, John Middleton, Bernard Anderson, Tim Wagar, Robi Bean, Terry Hanck, Walter Shufflesworth), this staggering Bay Area band has enjoyed accolades as one of the finest unsigned bands in the nation. That's all over now, as Burnside Records has had the good sense to release one of the strongest and most enjoyable independent blues and R&B recordings of the new millennium.

One of the most vital releases in recent years - in an often mediocre, over-saturated genre - "Partners in the Blues" shows two band leaders at the peak of their considerable form; completing their intense musical journey together; resulting in a work of brilliance and living fire. The songs they've chosen to record display the wonderful gamut of their awesome creativity and musical genius.

During live performances, Jackie sometimes jokes from stage in telling his adoring audience, "You might as well clap your hands, ‘cause you ain't gonna get your money back." With the release of "Partners in the Blues", I sure as hell don't think anyone lucky enough to purchase this CD will be looking for a rebate anytime soon.

Joseph Jordan

Visit www.payne-edmonson.com for more info.