What makes Kingpin by Tinsley Ellis notable?

The album received positive critical reception and helped to further establish Ellis's reputation within the blues genre. It contributed to the resurgence of interest in contemporary blues during the early 2000s, positioning him alongside other influential artists of the time. When 'Kingpin' was released in 2000, Tinsley Ellis was gaining recognition as a prominent figure in the American blues scene, following his successful albums in the 1990s. This album served as a continuation of his exploration of Southern-rooted blues while solidifying his signature sound developed over years of touring and recording.

Kingpin works well if you're into heartfelt storytelling with conviction, soulful vocals for emotional release and vibrant grooves for dancing.

How many songs are on Kingpin?

Kingpin has 11 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Kingpin

Tinsley Ellis · 2000

46 min · 11 tracks · blues

A vibrant blend of blues grooves and heartfelt storytelling, showcasing raw guitar work and soulful vocals.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Sweet Pea — This track showcases Ellis's knack for combining catchy melodies with poignant lyrics, offering a perfect example of his ability to tell relatable stories through music.
→
Dyin' to Do Wrong — With its infectious rhythm and compelling narrative, this song captures the essence of regret and longing, reflecting Ellis's emotional depth as a songwriter.
→
I'll Be Loving You — This ballad stands out for its rich vocal delivery and expressive guitar solos, illustrating Ellis's mastery in conveying deep emotion through both voice and instrument.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong guitar work and varied tempos, contributing to its solid blues composition.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of call-and-response vocals, particularly in tracks like 'Heart Fixing Business' and 'Sweet Pea'.
The tempo varies significantly across the album, with tracks like 'Dyin' to Do Wrong' maintaining a slow groove while others like 'Slingshots and Boomerangs' pick up the pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

heartfelt storytelling with conviction
soulful vocals for emotional release
vibrant grooves for dancing
late-night gatherings with friends
reflective moments on life

Maybe skip if you

instant gratification seekers
background music preference

Where this album fits

Career context: When 'Kingpin' was released in 2000, Tinsley Ellis was gaining recognition as a prominent figure in the American blues scene, following his successful albums in the 1990s. This album served as a continuation of his exploration of Southern-rooted blues while solidifying his signature sound developed over years of touring and recording.
Stylistic neighbors: Joe Bonamassa· Keb' Mo'· Gary Clark Jr.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Heart Fixing Business 4:55
2 Sweet Pea 3:57
3 Dyin' to Do Wrong 3:48
4 Can't Play That Way 4:11
5 I've Got to Use My Imagination 4:51
6 I Got to Moan 4:25
7 I'll Be Loving You 5:30
8 The Other Side of Town 3:45
9 Days of Old 2:55
10 Slingshots and Boomerangs 4:04
11 Let's Think About It 3:58

What to play next

Listen next

Hell or High Water

2002

Go back to

Fire It Up

1997

Full Tinsley Ellis discography Artists like Tinsley Ellis

blues

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata