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Encore Magazine
To begin by summing it up, it's unexpectedly familiar. Chris Pappalardo (guitars, vocals) and Jim Ellis (guitar, vocals), together as Waterline here in Wilmington since 1996, together as friends and stage partners in a previous incarnation in Richmond for several years prior, have released a wonderful CD entitled Stranded. Available at local record stores, the album's basic sound is a cross between that of James Taylor and the best, most bittersweet sitcom themes of the late 70's.
It is a friendly, open record. The songs are not only about real situations, but are produced with voices and instruments sounding real. No monstrous or alien special effects.
Waterline's unabashed willingness to be autobiographical lends an easy listenership and an aura of closeness and warmth to the CD. You put the record on and either imagine these guys sitting around your kitchen table with you, talking about their pasts, or wanting to invite them over immediately to do so.
Outside of the duo's attitude and clear, honest direction, this record also benefits from the contributions of great sidemen on the Wilmington-recorded tracks, as well as those cut in Nashville. Good judgement on the artists' part; utilizing the most appropriate people for each song on a single-act, single-songwriting team recording project is the best way to showcase both the artists and their studio allies.
I am personally grateful to Waterline for the promotion they give to Wilmington's music community with this release. Wilmington-based sidemen on Stranded are recording engineer/drummer Jon Guttman, bassist Vince Stout and sax man Leroy Harper. Their playing on this record is as good as anything they've recorded with any of the many other acts they've worked with separately in town. Even better, Waterline includes Stout in their live bookings whenever circumstances permit, and Harper frequently sits in at their shows when he's not on the road with James Brown.
When listening to the CD, I got the idea from Waterline's intensely personal subject matter and delivery that what they experience on the bandstand must be comparable to that dream we've all had in high school, walking down the hall, completely nude. When I asked Jim Ellis about this impression, he agreed, but somewhat halfheartedly, as he has no basis for comparison. He's never written songs any other way.
If you, the reader, are lucky and enjoy impeccable, sincere live music, you'll be able to make it to at least one of their upcoming shows and/or buy the CD soon.
- Arthur Shuey
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