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.
I played "Fine, I'm Fine" on my show this morning. I hope you are more than fine, I hope 2010 is going great for you!! Wish we could see you in Fairfield sometime soon, they moved Cafe P to a new location on the square that is big and pretty. The same artist came back and painted the mural behind the new stage even, she is 1/3 bigger now! Best, Heather
Hello you! I was listening to my music collection on random yesterday and The Ocean came up and I thought "I must play this on my radio show this week." and so I did. Hope all is well!
I can't get enough of Country EP and am delving into new and undiscovered Rachel Ries territory. I'm bracing myself for an exciting ride! Coming to the DC area any time soon?
i didnt mean to carry the conversation under your comments area. sorry about that, i'm using myspace on my super fancy phone, so you never know whats going to happen.
Ciao,Rachel Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis I feel great admiration for talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy..and good week end neal
Hey Rachel... just thought I drop a note to let you know that I finished a new album... it was recorded on an old boat in the Atlantic. Come take a listen...
