Dudley is a Santa Barbara-based art-folk-pop
entity, built around the hard-to-define, easy-to-love music of singer-songwriter
Ellen Turner. For the last few years, it was Dudley the Band, and Ellen
backed by guitarist Joe Woodard, bassist
Chris Symer, and drummer Tom Lackner. They're prone to describe
their music as "quirky" and "heartfelt." These days, Ellen is heading off as
a solo entity, aka Dudley.
Dudley has three albums to show for the effort, including the brand new one,
doin' jack. Public Nudism
came out in 1994, and Are Our Oars Out? came out
in the spring of '96.
| Richard Singer, writing in Option, opined that
the sound is |
| |
"…somewhat playful, folk-tinged, soft-side-of-alternative rock… a welcome
break from the self-seriousness exhibited by other female singer/songwriters…
intriguing, nightmarish side that peeks out from the lyrics once in awhile…" |
| Frank Warren of the San Luis Obispo Telegraph-Tribune
said of the new album: |
|
"the record has moments of country warmth, off-time folk, and some of
the most fragile musical moments you will ever hear on tape... this is a
group of artists who paint and sculpt brilliant creations for the senses,
and when you least expect it, get into your soul." |
| Mark Fahey, writing in the Santa Barbara Independent,
said: |
|
"even as instrumentals, these songs are beautiful, and coupled with Ellen’s
voice, it is indeed a rare beauty in this time of loud is more." |
| In the Santa Barbara News-Press, Steve Libowitz
called the album |
|
"a treasure trove of poetry and haunting images." |
B&W Photograph by Diana Lackner
|
