Tyler Ellis hasn’t lost his touch (in more ways than one) on his nostalgic and romantic new single Do It Up Right — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
With this preview of his upcoming eighth album Down By The Don, the award-winning Toronto singer-songwriter reminds you yet again that he’s an extraordinary storyteller with the kind of warm, downhome and rugged voice that truly brings a story to life.
Do It Up Right flows smoothly and easily as a mountain stream, recalling the wit, wisdom, and musical style of the late, great John Prine. The song finds Ellis practising his slapshot in the garage, accidentally knocking over a musty box of old knick-knacks, which then inspire him to reminisce over younger days of love, when he and his partner would “do it up right” and “kick it on a Saturday night.” The punchline? They still do.
Ellis know a little something about hanging in there. In fact, he’s worn two musical hats for a long time. On the one hand, he’s a critically acclaimed, award-winning singer-songwriter; on the other, he’s an award- winning music teacher. With the 2019 release of the double album Well-Seasoned, and his more recent live album Greater-Than, Ellis confidently throws both hats into the ring. His wry, thoughtful songs about love and life in The Great White North comfortably rubbing shoulders with his songs about the seasons, Venn diagrams, and counting to 10.
Over the years, Tyler has shared a lot of music with a lot of people. Whether writing ditties for CBC Kids; co-writing with The Julian Taylor Band; talking about music education; presenting university lectures on the joy of singing; hosting the long-running Riverboat Monday Open Stage; performing shows solo and with his band The Eddy Line; his many years of conducting a 75-plus member junior elementary choir; or, just working on his craft, for Tyler it’s always just music as usual.
Check out Do It Up Right above, hear more from Tyler Ellis below, and find him on his website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
