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Ellis Hooks embodies the very finest aspects of Southern musical traditions of Blues, Soul and Gospel; his voice, while evocative of some of the greatest such as Little Milton, Sam Cooke, James Carr, and even Otis Redding, is nevertheless his very own; his unique luscious baritone a trademark. With stylish guitar phrases, at times reminiscent of a more organic Robert Cray, Ellis Hooks' "Needle In A Haystack" connects with the past while looking into the future. His emotional realism is what makes Hooks larger than the sum total of his individual influences; one of the most exciting young Blues voices today. The album was co-produced by Jon Tiven and Stephen Kalinich. Tiven is known for producing, among others Robert Plant, Nick Lowe, Wilson Pickett, Arthur Alexander, Don Covay, Little Milton, Felix Cavaliere & Steve Cropper, as well as Alex Chilton, and last but not least the late great B.B. King! Co-producer and lyricist Stephen Kalinich is best known for his collaborations with The Beach Boys. Kalinich is also the lyricist for Brian Wilson's duet with Paul McCartney: "A Friend Like You." Not only a gifted lyricist, Kalinich is also a painter, and has kindly provided some of his work to illustrate the booklet of Ellis Hooks' newest album "Needle In A Haystack." The team of Ellis Hooks, Stephen Kalinich and Jon Tiven has an extensive and extremely impressive combined résumé and the combination and result of these formidable talents is "Needle In A Haystack," a brand-new Ellis Hooks album, recorded, at the Hormone Studios, in Nashville, Tennessee, with a backing band directed by Tiven, who also plays guitar, keyboards and tenor saxophone, and includes his wife, Sally, on bass guitar. Guitarist Steve Cropper of Stax-fame co-wrote "To You Who Have Wronged Me," and plays guitar on the track. "Needle In A Haystack": 13 emotionally intense songs, setting a new benchmark for contemporary Southern Soul and Gospel tinged Blues albums.

Track Listing

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• Produced by Jon Tiven, known for his work with B.B. King, Robert Plant, Nick Lowe etc.

Press Quotes

Hooks touches upon Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding, but feels like one of the gritty New York streets he has busked upon.

     —Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Armed with fresh material and his distinctive baritone voice, Hooks deserves another listen after this long hiatus. It's well worth giving this disc several repeat listens and seeking out his earlier albums too.

     —Jim Hynes, Elmore