The Pinch

Passing of days

Ragtime time (master)

A track from the album 'Black Stone.White Stone', the second in a proposed trilogy of instrumental music inspired by aspects of Japanese culture. Available via Bandcamp or from the Chanoyu Records shop. https://chanoyurecords.com/product/black-stone-white-stone/

Black Stone. White Stone

Joseki

A home-made demo. Be careful when you judge others who are struggling with the daily crush.

A Man Might Turn To Robbery

An old track written for an album but unused. The lyrics seem Apposite lyrics. Vocals by Paul Roberts. All writing and playing by John Ellis. From the album Infinity Drive.

THE CHROMEFLY PROJECT

U.N.Holy Land

Gloria Weeps (New Mix)

Here is a re-working of my first solo single, Babies In Jars, released over 40 years ago. I created it mainly to try out the updated version of Ableton LIve and some orchestral software. The original single was a live recording of a performance by Rapid Eye Movement, a shortlived band that supported JJ Burnel on his Euroman tour. We used a lot of electronics in the band and the keyboard player went on to join The Radiophonic Workshop, producing some fantastic music. The original performance started with a kick and hi-hat from a Bentley Rhythm Ace drum machine and this new version uses samples of those Bentley sounds. There is an insistent riff going through the piece originally played with guitars and bass but now replaced with strings. I have also kept some of the original micro-tune ideas. Lyrics are the same, of course. The guitar solo that I played onstage while interacting with one of our 3 fantastic dancers who was dressed in a giant romper suit with baby mask has now been replaced with an angry thrash-out. Best heard on headphones. When I re-released the track on a vinyl EP, I asked the great Steve Hillage to remix the track. During that session, I added ebow guitar.

Babies In Jars 2024

A reworking of an old song. Dedicated to the memory of Palden Choetso.

Pillar of Fire 2024 Master

Kimigayo is the Japanese National anthem. This arrangement by John Ellis uses ebow guitar and treated Ukulele. It is a track from the album Black Stone White Stone, the second in the Japan series.

Black Stone White Stone

Kimigayo

Another home made demo from The Pinch. This song is dedicated to the memory of Palden Choetso, a Tibetan nun, who died after setting herself on fire on the Chume Bridge in the centre of Tawu, China on November 3rd 2011 in protest at the Chinese occupation of Tibet and destruction of Tibetan culture. She drank petrol and also soaked her clothes in the fuel. Then she stood in a pillar of fire for 5 minutes in prayer and showed no sign of pain until she collapsed. Footage shows people driving by in their cars as this happened. Chenrezig is the Tibetan Buddha of Compassion. Tensin is the current Dalai Lama.

Pillar of Fire

This is not aimed at any individual. Just commenting on an aspect of social history.

Blue Fucking Plaque

A companion piece to the song Pierrepoint's Pendulum. This one imagines the condemned Ruth Ellis (no relation) sitting in her cell waiting for the day to come.

A Lick Of Lipstick

This track has bugged me for a year. I knew the original vocals were not good and the mix was poor, so I've reworked the whole piece. I think it's better.

Pachinko Princess

Pachinko Princess Corona Mix

A demo featuring the vocal talents of Alex Legg. This song was used on the first Stranglers album I was involved with. Alex also played bass on this demo. Sadly Alex passed away far too young. An exceptional talent.

Grand Canyon

A live recording of a new piece from THE PINCH, a triple album of acoustic based songs and instrumentals.

Spring In Her Step

This page features a variety of unreleased and unpublished songs,demos and instrumentals by UK composer/musician John Ellis. He has worked with major names in UK music (The Stranglers, Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill etc), but has also been at the front end of electronic music since he got hold of his first synth (Minisonic 2) in 1973.

John is currently looking for an agent for live work as a solo singer/songwriter. 

He has created audioscapes for Art exhibitions and film, some available as commercial releases.

Ellis has now started CHANOYU RECORDS. The first release is WABI SABI 21©, an album by John Ellis of electronic instrumentals inspired by the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Already receiving some nice reviews, Chanoyu Records are looking for international record labels to license our releases. 

Nemo Griffin, London.

The Pinch

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