Miss Blues & Blinddog Smokin' - Sittin' In (2001)

1. Goin Down Slow
2. Black Rat
3. Sinkin', Sinkin', Sinkin'
4. Comfortable Man
5. More Jelly
6. Sell My Monkey
7. Trapped
8. Leave Me Alone
9. Cold Mountains

Miss Blues - Vocals
Roland Junior Bacon - Bass
Jason Coomes - Guitar, Mixing
Chuck Gullens - Percussion, Vocals (Background)
Carl Gustafson - Harmonica, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Chris Lund - Guitar 

We have all seen the Blinddog Smokin' ads in the classifieds of the major blues mags. They are, of course, Laramie Wyoming's hardest working blues band. But who is Miss Blues? Hailing from Direct, TX, Dorothy Choncie Ellis has been singing her famous "Texas Shout" style of blues since the early 40s. The blues was a way of life in her early years. It was common to have Sunday dinner on the ground, walk barefoot to save her shoes, drink well and spring water, wear flour sacks dresses, pick cotton and feel a million miles from nowhere.

This grand old lady of the blues uses her storied past to her advantage on this 9 track, 50 minute disc. With an aged and aching growl, Miss Blues has the perfect voice for "Goin Down Slow".

She and Carl share the vocal duties on the humorous "Comfortable Man" with its sexual lyrics. "Sinkin'" is dedicated to her stepmother and tells her tragic story. With conviction, lyrics are delivered which include: 'I had a little house, like a fool I gave him the title, now I ain't got no house and he even pawned my bible'. "Sell My Monkey" is an uptempo tune which is refreshing after a series of relaxed, traditional blues. Pure, electric blues that is played the way they used to feature on "More Jelly" and "Cold Mountains".

From an interview in Southwest Blues magazine, Miss Blues is quoted, 'Each song I sing takes on its own individual form. I didn't get up one morning and say, hey, I am gonna be a blues singer. I lived the blues in the cotton patch, servant quarters, cooking in white kitchens, being broke, hungry, abusive grandmother, and feeling trapped in a bad situation.' That lifestyle has produced a raw, emotive, passion in her voice which leaps off the disc. Sure, its an acquired taste that won't necessarily attract new listeners but those who enjoy real blues will love it. ---Tim Holek, mnblues.com

A fifth CD by Wyoming blues-rock band Blinddog Smokin' but here they host special guest Miss Blues (Dorothy Ellis). The step was absolutely right. Lady brings enormous passion to this album with her raw and deep voice which in combination with band's work (particular attention should be paid to amazing guitar playing of Jason Coomes) delivers emotional, lowdown, driving Blues. In spite of what is plaid, covers or original compositions, result is all the same - true Blues.

This lady sings the BLUES! Bad thing is Dorothy Ellis was discovered late. Hope it's not too late.

This is what Blinddog's official web-page says about her: "Miss Blues is a carnival with a dress on. How an entertainer of this magnitude, has slipped through the cracks of fame and fortune is a sad testimony to the MTV generation, that apparently has no room on their tv screens for a heart this big. This woman is more fun than a tickling uncle. Her personality spills all over the room like the bubbles of a run-away washing machine. And she can sing! Like the primal scream of a locomotive bursting out of a mountain tunnel."

Passionate, fiery, bursting album! Highly recommended! ---Dimitri, amazon.com

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