Other than Miss Ries, it often involves one Ms. Ariel Bolles (of royal blood and in line to inherit a castle in England) on upright bass & harmonies. In Chicago & on records, it's a revolving cast including Kevin O'Donnell on drums (Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire, Jon Rauhouse, Neko Case), Nathaniel Braddock on rip-roaring guitar (Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Edith Frost, The Zincs, The Ancient Greeks), Casey Meehan on keys (himself, Love Story in Blood Red, The Means), Joel Paterson on guitar & pedal steel (Devil in a Woodpile, Kelly Hogan, the Western Elstons), Alison Chesley on cello (Verbow, Poi Dog Pondering), and Maria McCullough on violin.
The Mennonite Hymnal, Tom Waits, Chopin, Nina Simone, M Ward, John Prine, Fats Waller, Sarah Harmer, Townes Van Zandt, The Carpenters, Sandy Denny, Fruit Bats, Neil Young, Anais Mitchell, John Hartford, A.L. Kennedy and the highlands of Scotland, Billie Holiday, Superwolf, Robert Blake, Lambchop, boys, Robert Anton Wilson, The Louvin Brothers, scotch, Matt Fockler, Blind Melon (yes), Faure's Requiem!, Veda Hille, Iron & Wine, Vic Chestnutt, Fairfield, IA, Mr. Cameron McGill, Golden Hits from the 20's & 30's, Goldfrapp's Felt Mountain, Elliott Smith, Jeanette Winterson, Philip Glass, I Monster, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Andrew Calhoun, Pink Floyd, Alasdair Roberts, Philip Glass, Leonard Cohen, Low, Paul Cross, Myshkin's Ruby Warblers, Louis Ledford, Dostoevsky, Kris Kristofferson, Jason Eklund, Devon Sproule, Gram Parsons, Spoon, Umberto Eco, Patsy Cline, red right ankle, REM, Sparklehorse, Ana Egge, Johnny Staccato / Jeremy Messersmith, Cast King, The Handsome Family, my mom & dad and the prairie. Also, and very much so, when the sun is out.
Sounds Like
Here's what some say:
If Rachel's voice were a tree branch, a ripe russet apple would hang at its end: a gift, there to take... (cont.) - saidthegramophone
This record is like taking a luxurious bath in an Art Deco tub on the rooftop of a lived-in brownstone on a starry night... (cont.) - Seven Days, Vermont
I've been listening to it for weeks, but continue to hear new things in Rachel's classically trained voice, in the beautiful analog recording, and in the sparse yet perfectly aligned backing band. It's hard to sum up any great songwriter in just one or two sentences, but for me Rachel's songs are such a marvel of simplicity and restraint... (cont.) - Songs:Illinois
From the first cascading melody line of “Lonely Spires,” Rachel Ries ensnares the listener in a gorgeous web of silvery vocals, homey fingerpicking and strumming, and literary lyrics wrapped in mercurial, yet soothing tunes... (cont.) - Acoustic Guitar
Without a Bird is, without a doubt, a modern classic. Thoroughly engaging music from an individual who is doing everything right... (cont.) - babysue.com
There's something about this one lonely farm in South Dakota where there was dirt under my nails & paint in my hair. A typewriter in the kitchen and a piano in the other room. Now I find it's Chicago and all these dear & temporal homes scattered about. It's travel and trying to be good. It's trying to shake off this one shaky muse without shaking myself loose.
A video for Chicago. Created by Amy Lynn Kazymerchyk, the Stone Fox.
Hey Rachel, I saw/heard you play at Jeremy Messersmith's CD release on the 25th, and I have to tell you how impressed I was. It was so refreshing to hear a female soloist who actually understands how to make good music, and doesn't do so timidly!
And also--the jam (I took home the ginger pear) is delicious! I don't see myself having time to make jam anywhere in the near future, but I still want your recipe! Just in case I might one day get around to it... :)
Anyhow, thanks for making great music. And great jam.
I 1st heard about you thru my dear friend Dave Celia when he played w/ you in Chicago. And I kept hearin' 'bout you since. Glad to land here on yer page, & hear your amazing voice!
Happy yer coming to Buffalo this weekend & I hope to stop in & hear you LIVE. I haven't heard Anais in a while either so this will be great! Love the new tracks.
Safe & fun travels.... road trips are the BEST! - Liz in B'lo
Hi Everyone, if you're heading out to the Varsity Theater to see Rachel on September 25th, as part of Jeremy Messersmith's CD Release show you can buy advanced tickets here:
May I borrow some of YourSpace to promote MyNewCD?
The all new, all original CRUELTY is now available
Including 13 songs from the mind of Southpaw Jones
Order now at southpawjones. com
Purchase the CD or high quality MP3s at cdbaby. com
Check out a preview track at my profile or my site
Hi Rachel, it was great sharing a gig with you at the Hideout and I love your music! Hopefully Groggy Darlin' can make a return trip to Chicago in the future, we had an excellent time. Take care,
i just got back from The Hideout- you have a stellar voice, I'm thrilled that I got to see you live. you have genuine talent. Thank you for your performance.
