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I
had seen Heather Ellis’ name around on the internet and listed her on my
calendar when she was playing around town. But that’s about all I
knew about Heather, until her CD, "Satisfied", arrived in the mail
one day.
I was pleasantly surprised with her voice and the music. At first
listen, you might think this is a “chick” CD, but I think there are songs
on this album that men can appreciate as well. It is full of songs
in which women can relate, that’s for sure.
Heather delivers her songs with a smooth, silky voice and makes them all
her own. Maybe because they are! Heather wrote every song on the
album except for “I Saw The Light”. The list of female songwriters is
growing by leaps and bounds, which is a good thing.
Heather mixes country, blues, gospel and folk into this album. It’s
a nice debut album that shows her variety of musical talents and genres.
The CD was produced by Kevin Key and Heather Ellis, recorded and mixed in
Belton, TX, by Steve Palousek and mastered by Jerry Tubb in Austin.
Heather did some harmony vocals as well as the lead vocals. Accompanying
her on the album are: Kevin Key on Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and
harmony vocals, Greg Modesette on Bass, J.P. Morrison on drums, Steve
Palousek on Steel Guitar and Dobro, Randy Dennis on keyboards, Joey
Hamende on keyboards and harmony vocals, Rodney Pyaett on acoustic guitar
(an artist I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about recently) and Dale
Morris, Jr. on fiddle.
There are ten tracks on this CD. My favorites are “My Heart Is Like
A Rock”, “Satisfied”, and “Momma’s Got A New Man”. But all are solid
songs well done. The title cut, “Satisfied” sounds like a tune that
Toni Price would sing. Heather definitely takes ownership of the
song with her original version, but every time I hear it, I think of Toni.
It just sounds like a song Toni would sing.
“Old Freight Train” – A fast paced song in which the music reminds me of
the song “Roly Poly”. The fiddle keeps this song moving along in a
country style.
“I Like It That Way” – A slow waltz that showcases Heather’s beautiful
voice. The hook line, “I hate that I love you, but I like it that
way”. You have to hear the whole song to get it.
“My Baby Does” – A cleverly written song about her man and his
unconditional support of
her. I really like the music in this song, it has a catchy rhythm.
Clever lyrics plus catchy music equals GOOD SONG!
“My Heart Is Like A Rock” – A slow love ballad…Heather sings, “my heart
is a rock you’ll never break”, but you get the feeling it’s already
broken and she’s trying to convince herself otherwise. She looks to
the Lord for strength and stands strong in her faith that her heart will
withstand and “will never break”.
“Satisfied” – One of the best tunes on the CD, this fast bluesy sounding
ditty is well written, well produced and well performed. The gist of the
song?
“Oh baby since you’re movin’ out,
I guess that I am happy now,
I’m sa-a-a-tisfied.”
“Good Lovin’ Man” – Another slow waltz about her man not doing her right.
Pure country.
“Good lovin’ man, why do you treat me so bad?
Just because you can,
you’re so happy when you make me so sad.”
“Wasn’t Right” – A love song, of sorts, but it just “wasn’t right”.
Been there, done that, right? Heather can write some great lyrics in
this category.
“Momma’s Got A New Man” – A honky tonkin' song with a title that
says it all, but you gotta love this song...
“Momma’s got a new man, my momma’s got a new man
Well, she’s got a smile that’ll kill ya
And her hair is curled and twirled
And that’s something I really haven’t seen since I was a little
girl...."
At the
end of the song, she sings, “Go momma go”. A fun tune.
“Never” – Heather really showcases her velvety voice with this song.
It’s a slow song with a beautiful melody done on acoustic guitar and
piano. It’s a song about love and heartbreak and her realization
that she will “never” have true love...tears in the beer if you’re in
that mood.
“I Saw The Light” – Heather’s rendition of this gospel favorite is an
upbeat fast version, and Heather delivers the lyrics as well as any female
I’ve heard sing this song. I think it’s because she sings it with
conviction, like she means it. And from what I get from this album,
she does. She knows her Lord and has a relationship with him.
That is refreshing.
There is a mix of slower tunes and more upbeat songs on this album, but it
definitely falls in the “listening category”. Heather has
something to say, and she chooses to say it in music…which is great,
because she is a talented lady. When someone like Heather Ellis can
write, sing and put together music this well, I am "satisfied" that
she is
a true Texas artist.
Happy Trails,
Miss Lana
Written by Lana Hughes, November, 2002
Visit
Heather Ellis' website
Read
About the Diva
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