Iowa. Middle America. Corn fields and ribbons of interstate. Every city and town scattered like river rocks
on a vast prairie. Wide open roads stretching out like veins from an ancient water way . The perfect ingredients for a little wayfaring folk music. Meet singer-songwriter Chad Elliott.

The first time I met Chad Elliott was back in the late 90's at an immigration office in Omaha Nebraska. I'll do myself and Chad a favor by not elaborating. If seems like a lifetime ago. What stands out is the second time I became acquainted with him, performing together in Sioux Falls and shortly there after at a small town coffee house called Shaky Tree. Shaky Tree bloomed in one of these river rock towns; Spencer Iowa to be exact. A diamond in the rough. A small community of hardworking and warm hearted people. An accomplished artist, Chad's paintings seemed tattooed on nearly every square inch of the concrete walls of that place, little glimpses from a surreal carnival scene-images of Memphis and Montana spilled out on a canvas in swirls of furious calm. I'd like to say that Shaky Tree was still blooming, but it's gone now. And though it's gone- the harvest is far from over. Even at the end one can find redemption. From the dust, new life. That shaky little tree lives on in every note and word of Chad's latest CD, "Redemption Man." Redemption by the barrel full.

Chad is equal parts Townes Van Zant and Woody Guthrie. A remarkably competent finger style guitarist and arguably one of new folk's most gifted new lyricists. "Redemption Man" indeed redeems his warm, brown acoustic roots sound. Chad's previous releases, while highly impressive, pale in comparison to his latest release thanks to producer Bo Ramsey and virtual list of who's who in the Iowa roots music scene including Pieta Brown-Ramsey making a notable back-up vocal appearance on what I feel to be the album's signature track "Same Old Way"

Part of Chad's appeal on this record is his natural, honest delivery of every song within. His everyman sort of voice falls like midnight rain on a smooth gravel road and warms the soul like a smooth glass of home brew. Music that conjures up images of nature-wood, gravel, dust, fire. It's all here at ramming speed while remaining progressively steady at the wheel. The opening track "Wide Open Road" sets the pace with a solid folk rock groove breeding visions of used tires drug up a mysterious rural route. From the sweet country blues of "Illinois" to the slow burn of the eerie ballad "Long Road" Chad takes the listener on a spirit infused trek with every track. "Follow the Light" and "Barn's on Fire" showcase Chad's grittier side and some tasty acoustic chops complemented by a supreme backing band of brothers. From beginning to end it's clear that "Redemption Man" find's Elliott hitting his stride, crafting what I feel to be THE road trip album of
2009. Quite frankly, I'm surprised labels like Red House and Folkways haven't snatched him up. No matter- I've always been drawn to that wayfaring sound-that independent spirit so perfectly captured on all eleven tracks, and I have a feeling I'll be hitting the highway with "Redemption Man" as my prophetic companion very soon. After multiple listens it's clear I've got that "Wide Open Road" ahead of me.
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