Ellie Rollins & the West – Wind In the Trees – EP
This is a 5-song extended play set by the Bay area-raised Ellie Rollins who’s a singer-songwriter based in L.A. She possesses a rootsy country voice with friendly tones & a light touch. Despite having power, she doesn’t deliver her lyrics with aggression. “Wind in the Trees” is driven by subtle mandolin picking & a slicing violin that adds color to the upbeat zestful song.
Her voice has appealing sensitivity & songs like “Learning To Live Alone” have tender lyrics. I respect songs that explore themes, tricky subjects that aren’t covered often. This would appeal more to an older listener, but it’s a well-written sophisticated piece. The version I heard had a steady violin saw that made the tune dramatic since people who live alone often live lives that are repetitive, follow a routine just like the notes scratched across those strings. It’s an intense composition.
“Here Today” is the most accessible track on her first EP Wind In the Trees – EP (Dropped Sept 25/Tea House/Rollins Records/23:11). It has good mainstream appeal, creative lyric & it’s well-recorded & played. I don’t find Ellie’s voice retro in any way. Looking toward the past for influences doesn’t render one vintage. Ellie’s voice, especially when surrounded by strings midway, builds like cumulous clouds in a bright blue sky. This is one of those songs that will go on repeat on many players. Beautiful.
With a little Asian musical feel funneled through a classical approach “Little Moon” is good enough to be a children’s song – clever, light touch, with a good arrangement throughout. Ellie maintains her attractive voice but also has incisive intonation, & she plays with lyrics the way a jazz singer does. That makes the song even more luxurious to the ear.
There are times a singer has to wisely cover a famous song to parallel their creativity & show how good they are at interpreting or rather, reinterpreting music from another source. Some singers made a career out of other’s songs (Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra) & some — not as skillful. They sing with skill only on their own compositions & peel like cheap paint on other people’s songs. Of course, it may be a poor selection not suited to their range, their style.
Which brings me to Ellie’s cover of Stevie Winwood’s masterful “Back In the High Life (Again).” It’s done skillfully with a fine, touching, rootsy earthy take. It’s actually excellent as performed by Ellie & all the players in her band. They elevated the tune into a different genre. Winwood would be pleased if not impressed.
Highlights – “Wind in the Trees,” “Learning To Live Alone,” “Here Today,” “Little Moon” & “Back In the High Life.
Musicians – Wendy Kline (violin), Alex Balderston (guitar/vocals), with Nate LaPointe, Marty Rifkin, Bob Malone, Elizabeth Rollins, Chan Kinchla & Chris Murphy.
B&W image courtesy of Ellie’s website. CD @ https://www.ellierollins.com/