Paul Ellis – Silent conversations

10 reviews for Paul Ellis – Silent conversations

1. 

   Artemi Pugachov / Encyclopedia of Electronic Music – 2022-11-22

   This album is a bit of a departure for Paul Ellis, as well as for sequencer EM in general. In addition to synthesizers it features a nice use of guitar, bass, voice and some other acoustic and electric instruments. That doesn’t mean, however that Paul’s style is unnoticeable, because there are still plenty of rhythmic sequencer tracks done in the typical Paul Ellis manner. On some tracks, Paul is helped by friends Steve Roach, Jeffrey Koepper, Otso Pakarinen and others. So, strictly speaking, some of the tracks on Silent Conversations” are actually collaborations with other artists.

   We start with “The Only Known Photograph of God” that has Steve Roach and Jeffrey Koepper helping out on synthesizers

2. 

   DD – 2022-11-22

   I have not heard any of Paul Ellis‘ music before but after hearing this review copy of Silent Conversations” I might well be purchasing some more. This album is a work of contrasts

3. 

   Jesse – 2022-11-22

   I noticed someone else posted a review of Paul Ellis‘ forthcoming Silent Conversations”. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this and I think it’s Ellis‘ best work to date. If there’s one thing about the album that stands out the most

4. 

   Bill Binkelman – 2022-11-22

   Portland-based EM artist/synthesist Paul Ellis reveals his multi-faceted musical talents on his latest release, Silent Conversations, and he wastes little time doing so on the first track, The only known photograph of God” when

5. 

   Grant Middleton – 2022-11-22

   Silent Conversations sees Paul Ellis collaborating with many musical friends from round the world, as well as producing a couple of solo tracks. There is quite a strong focus on Paul’s guitar work, and this really lifts things out of the ordinary. The production is as crystalline as we have come to expect from Mr Ellis.

   1. The Only Known Photograph of God Features Steve Roach and Jeffrey Koepper on additional synths. This starts off very quiet and drifty, but gains momentum over the course of its seven minutes. By the end it has become quite funky!
   2. Trillium. An intricate tapestry of sequences always morphing. The kind of thing that Paul does so very well. Lovely fat bass notes and ethereal clouds of sounds propel the track along nicely. Electronic percussion joins in later, and I keep expecting a key change in a Crystal Lake/Halo style. Perhaps the lack of key change gives it /more/ tension rather than less!
   3. Peripheral Vision. Steve Roach and Will Merkle guest on this track. Bass guitar and Rhodes piano give this a nice organic feel. The dreamy backdrop is lovely, and I think Steve Roach probably put a lot of his production skill and knowledge into this track.
   4. The Wind-Up Synthesizers of the Glass Reich. A humorous play on words on a track with a humorous start. Otso Pakarinen brings synths and clockwork to this collaboration. A bit aggressive for my tastes, unfortunately. It may grow on me.
   5. Trance Figure Beautiful. Slightly Indian sounding. Sparse guitar work over a backdrop of drones intertwining around each other. My second favorite track. Laurie Guild appears towards the end with some lovely flute work.
   6. Continental Drift. The second solo track on the album. It’s more typical Paul Ellis material, with multi-layered sequences and a slightly malevolent feel to the lead work.
   7. The Dumb Angel’s Periscope. Ellis gets together with Steve Roach once more for this uptempo track. Almost electro-popish in character, it was not what I was expecting, at all. Quite pleasant, though.
   8. Silent Conversations. Just breathtakingly beautiful. Again, there is a slightly Indian feel to this track, aided by the awesome cello work of Brenda Erikson and the wordless vocals of Alison O’Connor. I can’t do justice to this piece with words -it just has to be heard. Not everyone’s cuppa tea (I know at least one other B_EM member who is not impressed), but it floats my boat (on an ocean of tenderness). I could stand a full album of this! Five gold stonks!
   9. Dialing in the Sun. A re-arrangement of the track ‘Sundial’. A bit too much like chill-out trance for my liking, but a nice bonus track to have.

   2005. Grant Middleton

6. 

   Paul Ellis – 2022-11-22

   Thanks for the review, Grant!
   I wanted to mention a couple things briefly. I’m glad you liked the track Silent Conversations so much… that was a fantastic track to record and you might be interested in the process which it was created.

   A couple comments on your comments:
   2. Trillium *This album is intended as a sort of last plunge into minimalism for me.Albums like E2-E4 and Music for 18 musicians have always fascinated me.Time-wise these pieces are much shorter but I tried to keep the mood fairly mesmerizing in different ways.
   5. Trance Figure *I was surprised that both you and Paul Lawler liked this and SilentConversations the best. I would have pegged you both as preferring the sequencer stuff.7. The Dumb Angel’s Periscope *I wanted to mention that this cut has been changed out to another one which fits the flow better ( I used the same title though just to be confusing…).
   I’ll be submitting this one to the E-dition sampler CD. Check out the soundbite for that one when I make the announcement. It kind of reminds me of Chambers of the Heart from Mysterious Sketches,which I seem to remember you liked.
   8. Silent Conversations *Yeah this may be the best track I’ve ever worked on …and again, I’m glad you like it… 😉
   Peace

   2005. Paul Ellis

7. 

   Ron Boots / Groove – 2022-11-22

   The new PAUL ELLIS CD called Silent conversations”. Is a fabulous follow up to “Sacred ordinary”. He is joined

8. 

   Chuck van Zyl / STAR’S END – 2022-11-22

   Paul Ellis understands that his purpose as an artist is to envision and communicate. His album Silent Conversations (76’30)

9. 

   Phil Derby / Electroambient Space – 2022-11-22

   Paul Ellis has definitely come into his own with the rich tapestry of songs that form Silent Conversations.

   We begin with The Only Known Photograph of God”

10. 

    Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity – 2022-11-22

    This release from 2005 offers 76 minutes of gripping electronic music.
    Joining Paul Ellis (who plays synthesizers, guitar, bass, rhythmic processing, tron flutes, and Rhodes) on this recording are: Steve Roach on synths, processing and rhythmic programming, Jeffrey Koepper on processing, Will Merkle on bass, Otso Pakarinen on synths, Laurie Guild on flute, Brenda Erikson on cello, and Alison O’Connor on vocals. The music was mastered by Ron Boots.

    Delicate keyboards blend with flowing textures, producing a lush but soothing climate. Surging patterns provide tasty density, augmenting the quite infectious influence of non-percussive rhythms. While crystalline structure spiral overhead, pensive embellishments coalesce with charming results. Astral illusions waft in the sonic wind, evoking stratospheric expanses of limitless potential. One can easily get lost in the electronic ballet of riffs as they frolic and interweave, generating a pleasant, celebratory quality.
    Cyclic chords establish sedative foundations which are then augmented with more demonstrative loops, creating commanding soundscapes of generous proportion. Subtle bass notes punctuate the flow, establishing a thrilling demeanor and furnishing the tuneage with a touch of the unpredictable.
    Classical instruments lend a fanciful airiness to a few tracks, while lazy guitars provide a romantic edge.Heavenly music is the motif here, with lavish soundscapes unfurling to envelope the audience in their shimmering sonic embrace. A sense of passive introspection maintains itself despite the bias of sweeping chords which seek to captivate with their invigorating allure.

    2005. Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity