Performance Times
3.45pm, Saturday
Berry
7.30pm, Saturday
Lakeview
Overview
Stories by the ton, and Americana music with extra spice!
This act features the hypnotically resonant voice of Rory Ellis, in turn playing all things acoustic, joined onstage by harmonica master Christian Marsh. Together they perform stripped down, gutsy versions of songs from Rory's last 10 albums.
Thirty odd years in the making, Rory has performed extensively at major venues and festivals here and abroad alongside greats such as Robert Cray, Richie Havens, Charlie Mussellwhite, Eric Bibb, even Pokey La Farge. Some festivals include, Isle Of Wight Festival UK, Maryport Blues Festival UK, Shetland Folk Festival UK, Castel St Pietro Blues Festival IT, Celle Festival DE, Thredbo Blues Festival AU, Port Fairy Folk Festival AU, National Folk Festival AU, the list goes on.
Christian is a world renowned master of the Chromatic and Diatonic Harmonica having won “Gold Harmonica Awards in Tamworth 3 times worked alongside harmonica giants such as Howard Levy, Larry Adler, Toots Theilemans and featured on many profile Australian and International artists albums and stages.
Most recently Rory and Christian performed at Cygnet Folk Festival 2024 Thredbo Blues Festival 2023, Blue Mountains Music Festival 2022, Bells Line Festival 2022 and Thredbo Blues Festival 2022 and the huge Broadbeach Blues Festival in May 2024.
An underground hero of Americana”, it’s been whispered. A Master Songsmith many have said. Yet, lauded by the media worldwide on every single album to date!
Visit their web site.
Reviews
"Sunday started with a performance of real quality from the Rory Ellis Duo. After a long Saturday, which had been enjoyed to the fullest by all, Ellis was the perfect choice to begin Sunday's proceedings. A veteran of the festival scene, Ellis and his partner in crime Alex Roberts steadily coaxed us from our hangovers with a country-influenced blues set delivered with flair and the deep, hypnotic, stonecarved vocal style that identifies Ellis as a uniquely talented performer." - Brian Johnson (Shetland Times)
"I have seen Arnie Cottrell (Crazy Train and Sorry About That! are great CD's) several times (to describe his voice is not easy, but close your eyes and imagine slowly sinking in a tub of melted chocolate and you're not far off). So I knew I was going to be in for a treat, but I was not prepared for the emotional roller coaster ride that Rory Ellis and Arnie took me on that night. Playing tracks from all three of Rory's albums you never knew what was coming next. A big man, with an even bigger voice which was at once, haunting, melodic, passionate and oh so powerful. The highlight of the night for me was Rory's rendition of 'Ride', a song he wrote for his stillborn daughter: This huge powerful man sang with such a passion and feeling, the audience was silenced and there was not a dry eye in the house! He followed this with Rushes, the title track to his new album and the upbeat Three Ways. This was a fantastic night and one I am looking forward to repeating. Look out for them, An evening with Rory Ellis and Arnie Cottrell is one that should not be missed. Go seek them out I promise you will not be disappointed!" - Chester Chronicle
"Worthenbury favourite, Aussie guitarist and banjoist Rory Ellis with Alex Roberts on lap steel guitar opened on Saturday and gave our festival a brilliant plug (We have subsequently taken many bookings as a result) Playing tracks mainly from the new CD “Perfectly Damaged” including the title track and the superb Jesus Lane he captivated the audiences. Other favourites included Two Feathers from the last CD, Passenger and Home Tonight. A brilliant performance from a brilliant entertainer, backed by the beautiful playing of Alex."
"Ellis accompanied by Tim Hackett on slide guitar, was superb. As MC, Mhari Pottinger told us, "What a voice". And he was also funny. "How many of you have ever been in love?" he asked the audience. Not surprisingly very few hands went up. "well I was in love once, and thought i'd write a song about it all fairly predictable you think, but what followed was one of the most commanding vocal performance of the festival. Deep, rich and passionate." - Lionel Ross & Grahame Rhodes (Blues & Roots Festival)
