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| "She's the kind of singer songwriter that should be loved
by urban cowgirls and cowboys under the bright lights of big cities
everywhere. The sweet songstress enchanted the room with her honey-toned
torch songs about lovers who don't love you back. Her 'Precious Hours'
record is a songbook that, once open, is not easily
forgotten.; - Unpeeled, April 2004. "Rosie Wilby should achieve the
recognition of other British Singer Songwriters such as Boo Hewerdine and
Eddi Reader as she continues to develop her career and the audience for
her songs grows. As Tom Pacheco said as he finished his set, Rosie Wilby
is likely to be a name you will hear again and rightly
so." "Yes, we know that this record was
released 3 years ago, but straddling the cutting edge can be uncomfortable
and, frankly, if it means missing a record like this you can call me 'Mr
2000' and pass on by. The scary thing for the industry is that Precious
Hours is the freshest sounding slab I've had this year and, while big
names like Sonic Youth dawdle around their own back catalogue, genuine
independents like Rosie Wilby are carving new notches on the rock n roll
bedpost... This is a set that's strong, jagged, rocky and spiked in a way
that Alanis Morrisette could only gawp at... fucking fab inother words
" "Rosie Wilby has been compared to the
likes of Patsy Cline. Her music manages to sound simultaneously
contemporary and traditional - with emotional, personal songs frequently
based on London themes" "Rosie Wilby is someone who took us a
bit by surprise. We'd heard her CDs, and liked them, but when she played a
solo slot for us armed only with a guitar she blew us away. Singing
urbane, country-inspired songs about life in London she is reminiscent of
Sarah Dougher or Beth Orton... "
"Her music, too, was bold, ballsy
even, beginning with the powerful Be There which, even without a backing
band, caused all present to cease chattering and give the lady the
attention she deserved "
"Rosie Wilby has an emotive voice and
real songwriting talent. She combines the power of PJ Harvey with the
vulnerable sensitivity of Beth Orton and Tracey Thorn"
"Pitched midway between the jangly
pop of The Sundays and the darker, electronic touches of Garbage, 'This
Time' is proof that Wilby's hard work wasn't for nothing."
Be There single reviews:
"This kicks off like a film noir
theme then bursts into a glorious John Barry-esque chorus which reaches
for the stars and damn well hits them. Wilby is a female singer/songwriter
who has a fine ear for melody, but her tunes always have that 'certain
something' which make them truly soar. A thrill "
"a little darker than Wilby's
trademark sound and sees her going a bit Shirley Bassey with a dramatic
swirling sound and rousing vocals. The single also features another new
song, the serene Nobody Listens " Scroll Down for More Reviews... "Soft but gutsy with a voice that
makes you quiver with her warm sensual tones. Well crafted Lyrics, which
you can read through on her web site. Melt within a sumptuous bed of soul
and pop as you sink deeper into her spell. Wilby will brighten your gloomy
nights and bring with her a unique sound when you play her latest CD
Precious Hours. This songbird is truly kissed by the lips of angels.
"
"Rosie has been described as a
musical genius, and she is certainly a musical force to be reckoned with.
Her rich, warm voice wraps you in her epic, romantic, lyrical insights
into heartbreak city. Born in Ormskirk, she’s one of a rich tradition of
Lancashire lasses who make the world turn whenever they sing (Gracie
Fields, Lisa Stansfield, Cilla, Diana Ross, Stacey Earle etc.).
Portishead, Al Green, Tom Waits, kd laing are the other pathfinders in her
wondrous musical universe. " "Breathy and sweet - albeit with
dark, swirling undertones - this London singer songwriter is following in
Kathryn Williams' footsteps" "The music came from the heart and
was easy to listen to with beautifully written lyrics" "Wilby has a fine ear for a
honey-coated melody and her expressive, romantic and beautifully lyrical
tunes are a joy to behold " "...exquisitely crafted romantic and
lyrical tunes. Her second album is due out in the Summer and it its
anything like the first Precious Hours, described by some as a work of
'musical genius', it'll be worth the wait. " "indie Loretta Lynn-meets-KD
Lang-styled, sweet but strong vocals" "Headliner Rosie Wilby showcases her
glorious vocal style and stunning songs. It can't be long before she
follows in Kathryn Williams' illustrious footsteps. " "Wilby is a disctinctive and sweetly
effective vocalist with an apparently effortless and classy delivery. The
breathy sparkling shimmer of This Love and a gutsy electric-fuelled though
poignant The Day That Stephanie Jumped are joined by the slick
radio-friendly indie-pop of opener This Time, all evidence of Wilby's
considerable abilities. She'll almost certainly still be around winning
new friends when most of acoustic guitar-weilding 12 Bar Club troubadours
have faded away. Precious Hours is a bold statement of intent
" "Emotionally expressive songstress
and Lancashire's answer to Beth Orton tugs at your heartstrings with rare
honesty and directness " "A singer/songwriter to cherish
" "Definitely a talent to watch in 2001
" "the latest name to be dropped in
discerning circles " "there's a genuine warmth and honesty
in her slow-burning harmonies that can work a subtle
magic" "Her mellifluous, melancholic music
reminds you of Aimee Mann, Beth Orton and Janis Ian" "swoony tunes, honeyed vocals and a
melancholy flavour of lost love " "Rosie Wilby is one of London's
strongest new singer-songwriters. Acoustic pop with its soul based
somewhere between Memphis and Detroit. Refined harmonics and deep lyrics
back a voice that at times edges into Sarah Cracknell/St Etienne
territory. 'Take My Hand' is a classic dreamy ballad, just one of many
from her debut album, Precious Hours, that has got to be one of the best
independently produced releases of last year." "Rosie Wilby treats her bright blue
guitar as an extension of herself in a manner that puts the likes of
Sheryl Crow to shame...Her voice is glorious, ranging from the trembly
heights of Kate Bush to a wistful, candyfloss lightness, warm and
welcoming." "Upcoming artists to look out for
include singer-songwriter Rosie Wilby " "Wilby's half an hour slot showed
they have a command of pop dynamics, bright up-tempo music underpinned by
some caustic lyrics. The strength of the band is undoubtedly Rosie's
resonant vocals." "Rosie Wilby is a lover of sunny
side-up pop sounds involving lovely guitar melodies, and that's exactly
what her chirpy troupe play." 'You Were Loved' single reviews: "a nice gentle acoustic shimmer with
a plaintive lyric about a love gone quietly wrong." "A lilting, wispy feel akin to petals
being blown against the breeze is what comes across in You Were Loved, a
song that finds the protagonist contemplating a massive missed chance.
Even better is the second song here, This Love which has other-worldly
vocals introducing the song before a mashing keyboard similar to the
refrain in The Persuaders moves the song along with glimpsed snatches of
fed-back guitar lines" "A casual, smooth, pure vocal from
singer/songwriter and sometime journalist Rosie Wilby. Both tracks come
across as light and airy, with acoustic guitars and late summer evening
grooves. The second, This Love, has the best harmonies with some lovely,
spacial backing vocals and a never-ending feel. If you like
straightforward, quality pop, check out Wilby right now.
9/10" "Singer-songwriter Rosie Wilby is
possessed of a voice that is at once effective and
memorable" 'Precious Hours' album
reviews: "acoustic pop about love and
loss, matched to her creamy vocals and dreamy melodies. She's going to win
a lot of hearts... " "Flitting between winsome acoustic
musings that call to mind The Sundays and Beth Orton in her more whimsical
moments to echoes of the ethereal Cocteau Twins, this is a highly
promising debut from Rosie Wilby." "London-based singer-songwriter Rosie
Wilby's debut album majors in dreamy, largely acoustic pop, that bustles
with well-arranged harmonies and soothing melodies. The wistful lyrical
matter hinges on themes of love and loss, but the overall sound is
pleasingly summery, and perked up by rich instrumentation
throughout" "Her soulful voice mixes with
acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and keyboards to do justice to
all aspects of lurve. Her sweetness-and-sorrow summer-breeze songs gently
build, their subtle layers creeping up on you." "Rosie Wilby's songs are
well-crafted, lovingly created affairs that smack of heartfelt emotion and
a general passion for music as it should be made. That she and her band of
players achieve this without the music ever sounding earnest is something
all the more marvellous." "The vocals are the most prominent
aspect: the harmony between Rosie and the backing singers is ethereal,
almost haunting. This element ties in nicely with the emotional and
expressive lyrics - you can almost feel how she
sounds. 8/10" "It has the summery feel and
tuneful resonance of Beautiful South, featuring unaffected, easy harmonies
with direct lyrics. Stand-out tracks include Your Ghost, a song dedicated
to her mother, the unflinching Day That Stephanie Jumped and You Were
Loved, a song about 'the one that got away'. Watch out for live dates to
see the owner of this shimmering voice in action." "Wilby is a budding musician, and a
bloody good one at that. She's set to release her self-financed debut
album Precious Hours on July 3 and is yet another example of musical
genius minus a recording deal" "Wilby shows there is more to British
music than Billie Piper and Steps; there is someone out there writing and
performing songs with more depth than their lip liner. Don't let this
album pass you by." "Rosie Wilby combines amazing
vocal talents with enchanting and uplifting music. The album may only
include ten songs but when you're through you can't wait to replay the
album again and again." "This is a beautifully crafted
lyrical album that subtly crosses genres with grace" "An album that grows with each
listen, it is a glorious and sumptious pop record with firmly crafted
Brian Wilson-influenced melodies and grooves and gorgeously textured,
swooping vocal harmonies" "Wilby and her band are the
stuff of dreams - strong, incisive lyrics; clean, pure vocals; delicious
harmonies and acoustic guitar playing of the very best
kind......Especially recommended for those who like Ricki Lee Jones,
Rosanne Cash and Lucinda Williams. 'Tis truly manna from the
heavens." "On the stirring This Love, they give
Beth Orton some competition" |