Volume 32 Number 11 Nov 18, 2008

Ellen Whyte treats crowd to heart-rocking music from new original CD 'Four Way Stop'

By: Katie Naylor

On a particularly warm October evening, the pleasure was all the crowds at Halibut's because Portland's own, Ellen Whyte, and her heart rocking music graced the stage. As Whyte and her accompaniment sailed through classic jazz and blues standards, the crowd was treated to some of the latest releases of her new CD Four Way Stop, named "Best Self Produced CD of 2008" by the Cascade Blues Association.

As this writer spoke to Whyte on a quick break, she assuredly says that there is no mistake to the name of the latest album and, as a matter of fact, it has much meaning. Four Way Stop refers to four strong emotions of Whyte's; remorse, fear, strength and love. She laughs with gusto as she admits that her last three albums were happier; not to say that this album is dark, but it just allowed her to dig deeper into her musical destiny.

Whyte's also extremely satisfied because the musicians that helped her complete the "four emotions" material truly had such strong relationships with all the songs on this album. She graciously speaks of each player with almost a mist in her eyes as she recollects their individual contributions to the album. Players include: Renato Caranto on tenor sax; Mike Kelly on baritone sax; Garry Meziere on electric guitars; Dave Mullany on slide guitar; Jean-Pierre Garau on keyboard; and Gene Houck on bass, lining up with Reinhardt Melz' drums. The album was recorded at Portland's Kung Fu Bakery in February of 2008 and released in September. Whyte credits Dean Baskerville for the fine engineering on the project.

Just before the second set was to start, Whyte joked that many songs on this album changed at the 11th hour, like Lucky in Love. This song had started five years ago as a country song that she actually wanted to submit to Wyonna Judd. Melz tells her, "This is boring, let's change it to a zydeco sarcastic song." And, so one of her favorite album cuts was reborn.

Whyte graciously recognizes that the many players she was blessed to have involved with this project really helped evoke a sort of "soul massage" feel for the music's listeners. For this she is gratified.

Although the lineup mentioned above wasn't present at this evenings' show, the talent was no less spectacular. Supporting Whyte on his "red sparkle Italia" guitar was Chris Carlson who happens to be Duffy Bishop's husband! Glenn Holstrom (who incidentally wrote horn arrangements on the Four Way Stop) tickled the ivories of his Roland VK-7. In front of them all was of course Whyte, whose grin and energy came through with every perfectly-pitched vocal note. Her voice was smooth with a hint of rasp, reminiscent of the likings of an Etta James. This writer could picture the two of them belting out alternating verses of a classic blues song in front of the waterfront crowd at a blues fest.

The group played through the next set with tunes including the Beatles' Get Back, Sweet Embraceable You, Come Rain or No Shine and this writer's personal favorite Midnight Moondance. The lyrics epitomized everything about this veteran as Whyte belted, "When your heart turns on the juice". It was immensely evident that the juice was really on in her heart. This probably explains why Whyte's self-proclaimed tag line is that her compositions are "heart rocking music." You rocked everyone's heart Ellen Whyte and all look forward to more. Thanks for sharing.

Make sure to check out Whyte's schedule and music at www.myspace.com/ellenwhyte.

Halibuts' owner, Dave McKay, certainly knows how to attract the crowds in to his three-and-one-half-year-old establishment by simply offering some of the best blues and jazz music the Rose City has to offer. The ambiance of the place fits the blues theme, sporting classic Bob Marley and Miles Davis prints on the walls, candlelit tables, the fine aroma of fish and chips and chowder and, of course, superior music acts to hear Wednesday - Saturday nights. You can catch Terry Robb every Thursday for instance. Check Music on Tap for schedule.