Terry Ellis - Southern Gal

As a member of En Vogue, Terry Ellis was one of the few bright spots on an R&B landscape hopelessly glutted with formulaic, syrupy schmaltz. A creation of songwriter/producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, En Vogue were as prefabricated as the next guys and gals, but once the package came together, boy did they kick ass. Alive with the spirit of hip-hop, and informed by the classic soul and funk of Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and George Clinton--as opposed to the elevator music most current R&B aspires to--the female quartet easily stood out as one of the sassiest and most soulful crossovers since Labelle. Looking to quadruple the singers' output (as well as their profits), McElroy and Foster separated En Vogue into four solo acts--a liquidation that can only be cause for celebration given the prospect of four different follow-ups to En Vogue's 1992 classic, Funky Divas. Unfortunately, Ellis's Southern Gal--the first of the quartet's lone shots--doesn't quite live up to En Vogue's legacy. Though it starts promisingly enough with "She's a Lady," a Southern-fried, violin-streaked, bouncing bass-lined sisterhood anthem, Southern Gal quickly descends into slow-tempo slush and sappy cliches ("It Ain't Over," "Where Ever You Are") that make the songs indistinguishable from each other and from the countless other R&B ballads littering urban radio. The second half offers a bunch of fine moments, however: "Slow Dance"'s flute hook, "You Make Me High"'s gospel-funk chorus, and Ellis's cover of Enchantment's soul-soaked "It's You That I Need." But despite these high points, Southern Gal never recaptures Ellis's Texas homegirl vibe, much less her funky divahood. --Roni Sarig Amazon.com

Southern Gal

Terry Ellis's CD is fantastic and so representative of every woman. You must pick up this CD. November 20, 2007

Sexy Southern Soul!

I don't know if anyone's ever coined the description "Southern Soul" before, but if not, I'm laying claim to it now, and "Southern Gal" by Terry Ellis is the prototype for this genre. Soulful, sexy, with a down home southern flavor that leaves me waxing nostalgic of fond memories from my past, Terry Ellis, formerly of the group En Vogue, created one of the other few albums that I can listen to over and over again, from beginning to end, without ever skipping a single track. Terry doesn't have one of those voices that can blast you out of your seat, like say, Patti LaBelle, but she has one of the sweetest voices you'll ever hear.

This is REAL soul music at its best, so if you have an opportunity to grab this album, do yourself a favor and add it to your music collection now!

- Gregory B. Banks August 26, 2007

Terry's Terrific!!--Wasn't Promoted Enough!!!!!

If you want to hear some serious singing--this is the album for you!!
Terry is surely the best singer to come from the group EnVogue.
The songs are great; lyrics so realistic, and Terry soars to heights with her voice that many can't reach!
I would love to see her release something new--a true talent--and she does it with class...that's something lacking in the music industry today...
You go Terry!! July 3, 2007

Harmonic

Lovely CD. I still listen to this, found the tracks to be quite melodic and mellow. Terry's voice is quite pleasant. If only this CD was marketed more heavily it would of done well. This is similar to what happened to Monifah's first CD. Should have been marketed better. June 12, 2007

Where Ever You Are....come back with a new cd

Where Ever You Are is the stand out track on this cd and is one of the best songs ever...but would not have been as good if not for her singing style and voice. Other good tracks are She's a Lady...It Ain't Over..I Don't Mind(my no.2) and Sista Sista.
Miss Ellis(or Mrs.?) I missed you when you came to St. Lucia with your group, I am very sad about that and the fact that their is no new cd. May 15, 2007

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