Ellis Paul returns to Sundilla on Sunday, November 28, at Pebble Hill (101 S. Debardeleben.) Showtime will be 7:30, and admission at the door is $25. A limited number of $20 advance tickets are available at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online at www.sundillamusic.com. Weather permitting, this will be an outdoor show but it is late November, so indoors is a real possibility.
A troubadour, a singer/songwriter, a folky, and a storyteller –all are fair labels for this artist, but they do not quite suffice. However, the tattoo of Woody Guthrie worn proudly on his arm is a good starting place from which to grasp Ellis Paul, for it is from the Woody Guthrie tradition that he hails, and Maine as well. Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and James Taylor are also listed among his influences, and their spirits seem to occasionally grace his work. With an acoustic guitar in hand, he weaves intimate, provocative, and romantic tales of lives that were obviously witnessed by a most-talented voyeur.
Based in Massachusetts, Paul has been called the quintessential Boston songwriter more than a few times and has garnered the recognition and awards to back up that claim, including a shelf full of Boston Music Awards. Since coming onto the scene in 1993 with his independent debut, “Say Something,” Paul hasn’t slowed or weakened as a performer or a writer. Spending two-thirds of most years on the road has helped him perfect both crafts, with a lot of practice on-stage and a lot of people whose stories he retells in song. In fact, his 1994 album “Stories” proved enchanting enough to secure him a deal with Rounder Records and a national following of dedicated fans.
Many albums have followed; his latest release, “The Storyteller’s Suitcase” became number 20. His songs have also been heard in movies, movies that you just might have seen, such as “Me, Myself and Irene” (starring Jim Carrey), “Shallow Hal (starring Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow) and “Hall Pass” (starring Owen Wilson and Jason “Ted Lasso” Sudeikis.)
If you are familiar with Ellis Paul, you know why we’re trying to make such a big deal out of getting him back to Sundilla. He performed at a Rock and Roll HOF event with Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, the Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco. He participated in the “Ribbon of Highway” tour with Arlo Guthrie, Marty Stuart, Ramblin’ Jack Ellott, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, and Janis Ian, among others. (Both of those were tributes to Woody Guthrie.) He has had songs featured in three major motion pictures. He has a warehouse full of awards; the most recent is the NERFA Album of the Year honor he garnered for his most recent release, “The Storyteller’s Suitcase.”
This will be a concert that you don’t want to miss, and getting tickets early is a good idea. Advance tickets are just $20 and are available at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online at www.sundillamusic.com; admission at the door will be $25. For more information, go to www.sundillamusic.com.