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William Ellis
(September 2005 Issue)
Blue Merle's
Burning Drummer When William Ellis and his Blue Merle bandmates began work on their debut album, Burning In The
Sun,
the biggest challenge was to hold back. "Working with our producer,
Stephen Harris, it was all about restraint," Ellis
says. "He knew what
we were all capable of on our instruments, but his philosophy was to
make a record, not just a few
singles. So there's a lot of restraint
from me on this record. But I'll do whatever a producer wants me to do,
as soon
as I understand his vision."
Perhaps Ellis's commitment
to serve the song stems from his days as a session
drummer in
Nashville. "The first thing I think about is how I can play more
musically to make a song happen," he
says.
While Ellis was content to let the songs drive his playing, he is
exceedingly excited about his band's first
album. Blue Merle, a band
based on mandolin, guitars, and keyboards, explores acoustic
possibilities with rock energy and
vibe. Ellis is impressive on Burning.
He grooves on the Latin-influenced "Either Way It Goes" and the
straight-8th feel of
"Boxcar Racer." He also likes the improvisation
that "Seeing Through You" allows in live shows, as well as the
studio
challenge of "Bittersweet Memory." "There's a darkness to that tune,"
Ellis says. "The mystique made me play
differently from the way I
previously had with the band."
Harriet L. Schwart
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