photo: Jordan Pilgrim

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On February 9, Alligator Records will release the first-ever solo acoustic album from acclaimed guitarist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis. Naked Truth draws on the Delta blues traditions that have long animated his work.  He reveals, “This is a record I’ve always wanted to make, and one that my longtime fans have been asking for,”

The album follows on the heels of last year’s acoustic tour in which he performed more than 100 dates. As he tells Relix, “I wanted the record to be a snapshot in time of what I’m doing on the road.”

Ellis produced the record himself and also wrote nine of its 12 songs.  In article that appears in the latest issue of the magazine, he notes, “This album is very much my confession. This is the kind of music I like— blues songs, folk songs, happy songs, sad songs. And there is no place to hide.”

Today we premiere the official video for his version of Son House’s “ Death Letter Blues.” Ellis explains, “Son House’s ‘Death Letter Blues’ is one of the greatest delta blues songs of all time. It has been the centerpiece of my acoustic performances for a long time. Eddie 9V’s gritty, low fi production gave it the perfect hard edge. On this song I’m playing my 1937 National O series steel resonator guitar with a brass slide.”

 Naked Truth is now available for pre-order.