What makes Up from the Skies: The Polydor Years by Ellen McIlwaine notable?

'Up from the Skies' not only celebrates McIlwaine's rich musical legacy but also brought renewed attention to her work, leading to increased interest in her discography among both old fans and new listeners. The album features notable covers like 'Ode to Billy Joe', which underline her ability to reinterpret classic songs through her unique lens. Released in 1998, 'Up from the Skies: The Polydor Years' is a compilation that showcases Ellen McIlwaine's significant contributions to the music scene during her time with Polydor Records. This album arrives after a long and varied career, highlighting tracks from her earlier works while solidifying her status as a pioneering female guitarist and vocalist in genres often dominated by men.

How many songs are on Up from the Skies: The Polydor Years?

Up from the Skies: The Polydor Years has 21 tracks, running approximately 73 minutes.

Up from the Skies: The Polydor Years

Ellen McIlwaine · 1998

73 min · 21 tracks

A soulful blend of blues, folk, and rock showcasing McIlwaine's powerful vocals and intricate guitar work.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ode to Billy Joe — This track exemplifies McIlwaine's skillful blending of storytelling with emotional depth, transforming a classic song into a personal reflection of loss and longing.
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Wade in the Water — McIlwaine's rendition of this spiritual showcases her dynamic vocal range and ability to infuse traditional music with fresh energy.
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Can't Find My Way Home — Her interpretation of this Blind Faith classic reflects vulnerability, revealing layers of emotional complexity through her expressive guitar and vocal performance.

Tracklist

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

1 Toe Hold 4:32
2 Weird of Hermiston 5:06
3 Up From the Skies 3:52
4 Losing You 2:22
5 It's Growing 3:05
6 Ode to Billy Joe 4:13
7 Pinebo (My Story) 2:41
8 Can't Find My Way Home 3:39
9 Wings of a Horse 4:01
10 It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels 2:38
11 Wade in the Water 4:55
12 Ain't No Two Ways About It (It's Love) 4:26
13 All to You 3:05
14 Sliding 2:52
15 Never Tell Your Mother She's Out of Tune 2:25
16 Farther Along 3:44
17 I Don't Want to Play 3:20
18 Underground River 3:54
19 Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (But Nobody Wants to Die) 2:25
20 Jimmy Jean 2:59
21 We the People 3:23

What to play next

Go back to

The Real Ellen McIlwaine

1975

Full Ellen McIlwaine discography Artists like Ellen McIlwaine

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata