The Sleeve:
The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“Alcohol and gasoline do not mix! The high price in human life and property damage that drunken drivers cause each year is ample proof of this often stated fact. Now directed by the Holy Spirit, Tommy Ellison & The Five Singing Stars put to music the brutality and misery the drunk driving inflicts. Listen closely to the poignant words of this song and “LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU.
Rev. Larry McCollough
National Promotional Director”
Personal Review:
So, got this album for two reasons, one the message is one that can hit anyone. Secondly, the cover is amazing.
The album opens with 7 minute title track, which is basically a sung narrative about a guy who drives drunk, who one night while driving drunk, he hit a little girl – she died instantly. (Actual quote from the song.) It’s really not that bad, like the musicianship of this track, “Let This Be a Lesson to You (Drunk Driver)“, is not bad at all, nor are the vocals – Tommy Ellison has a pretty sweet voice. Oh, and then the guy after going to jail, gets out, gets drunk again and hits and kills another girl. Like, how did this guy even get his licence? Oh… he hit his mom with a car. Well. This is awkward. But hey, overall a good track! Next up comes “If I Would Live Right” – which is a good song, I most definitely like the vocals and backing musicianship – the bonus is the backing vocals, those make it all worth listening to. Yea, not bad at all. The A-Side ends with “You Can If You Will” – which has some pretty nice guitar playing right at the beginning that makes a pretty cool sound to go with Tommy’s intense vocals.
The B-Side opens with “Finally Got Saved” – which makes for a nice opening track, It has great backing vocals and a superb musical background on it. I’m actually quite impressed with how this album is coming along. I was not expecting it to be this good. Then comes “Holy Ghost” – which has that Southern Gospel vibe to the music, but has that classic Gospel church sound to the vocals, with all the clapping and the choir singing in the back. It’s quite an interesting listening! Then comes “So Sweet” which is a slower Gospel track, but Tommy’s vocals are pretty amazing, and the musicianship rocks. You really can’t go wrong with this album. It’s good. The album ends with the track “It’s Alright” which I’m pretty sure I know. I’m not sure, I swear I’ve heard it before. (And as Google will prevail, I do know it – it was used in Stephen King’s IT) – anyways, it makes for a good ending track.
Sadly, to me, the Five Singing Stars and the rest of the world, Tommy Ellison passed away a couple of years ago.
Interesting Facts:
None.
Track Listing:
A1 – Let This Be a Lesson to You (Drunk Driver)
A2 – If I Would Live Right
A3 – You Can If You Will
B1 – Finally Got Saved
B2 – Holy Ghost
B3 – So Sweet
B4 – It’s Alright
Label:
Air Records & Tapes
Catalog Number:
AIR-10086
Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
None.
(Though, the Five Singing Stars consists of Ronald Lewis, Dennis Bowers, Oscar Hardnett, Pete Johnson & Sam Williams)
Other Albums I Own by Tommy Ellison:
None.
Released:
1985
