Article Contributed by Alligator Records
Published on January 30, 2026
Photo: Courtesy of Alligator Records
Today, Friday, January 30, Atlanta-based blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Tinsley Ellis releases his new all-acoustic album, Labor Of Love. This is Ellis’ second acoustic album (after 2024’s Blues Music Award–nominated Naked Truth), and his first acoustic album to contain all original material. The album is available on CD, Georgia peach-colored vinyl LP, and at all digital service providers.
Order or stream Labor Of Love here.
His new radio single, the original “Too Broke,” hits the airwaves today. Additionally, Vintage Guitar magazine features Ellis on the cover of its newest issue (February 2026).
According to Ellis, “Too Broke” has lyrics everyone can relate to right now. It was inspired, he notes, by blues great Tommy Johnson’s “Big Road Blues.” A new video for the song, directed by filmmaker Tony Bieser, debuted yesterday via Relix magazine.
Watch: “Too Broke”
With Labor Of Love, Ellis delivers a raw, edgy, self-produced set of 13 original compositions, all performed with pure emotional honesty. The songs spin modern tales of floods, conflagrations, voodoo spirits, personal travails, and heaven-sent prayers. From the feral opener “Hoodoo Woman” to the John Lee Hooker–groove of “Long Time,” the evocative Skip James–inspired “To A Hammer,” and the Son House–style stomp of “Sunnyland,” Ellis inhabits his songs in a way that is simply astonishing.
Each performance carries the weight, experience, and hard-earned wisdom Ellis has gained over four decades on the road, making Labor Of Love as deep and moving as any music he has made in his career. The album covers the full emotional spectrum, finding good times in hard times while blending gentle beauty with foot-pounding ferocity.
During a break from recording, Ellis spent time in Bentonia, Mississippi, the birthplace of Skip James and home to blues legend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes. He soaked up the spirit of the tiny Delta town, hanging out with Holmes and gaining deep insight into genuine Bentonia blues. While there, Ellis performed with Holmes at the legendary Blue Front Café.
“Once I got home,” Ellis notes, “I went right back to the studio and incorporated everything that I had just experienced into my music.”
For the album, Ellis used six different open tunings on his beloved 1969 Martin D-35, his 12-string Martin D-12-20, and his 1937 National Steel O Series guitars. For the first time in his career, he also played mandolin on three of the album’s tracks. The varied instrumentation and tunings, he says, create endless possibilities and keep him creatively energized.
Ellis has been traveling solo across the country on his aptly named “Two Guitars And A Car” tour. Playing solo acoustic blues has helped him tap into the raw essence of the music.
“I love doing these shows,” Ellis says. “I can be more expressive and emotional as a solo acoustic artist. I just love the sound of acoustic guitar. I always have.”
Find Tinsley Ellis tour dates here.
“No matter what I play, I like to have an edge,” Ellis adds. “For me, just playing this music is a labor of love. I sat at the feet of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf. I got into this music because of them. I always told myself if I could just make a living playing the blues, I’d be, at least in my own mind, successful.”
Premier Guitar agrees, declaring: “Ellis is a legend of American blues music. He’s an American music treasure. He delivers a sermon on the power and glory of the blues and is one of modern blues’ greatest performers.”
