The Doll Sisters

THE DELIGHTFULL DOLL SISTERS
It’s a common observation in music that there’s no harmony like family harmony. Jenna and Shelby Doll are proof of that old adage in a young and exciting way. Not only do they weave beautiful harmonies between them, they have also developed stage confidence and presence and a bouquet of songs that showcase their talents perfectly. We had a nice crowd for their concert on Saturday night at Grandview Stage. Considering the busy Christmas season and the recent two concerts by Gary Fjellgaard here. 15 seats short of a sellout was a great turnout, and the girls responded with an outstanding performance.
It had been a couple of years since the Doll girls had played at Grandview. What a difference two years had made in the development of these young talents (Shelby and Jenna are 19 and 20, respectively). Both the girls have improved their instrumental expertise, with Shelby on fiddle and mandolin, and Jenna laying out the rhythm and some nice licks on the acoustic guitar. One of the many highlights of the night was when Jenna’s Bohrain (Irish drum) accompanied Shelby’s fiddle on several tunes. The evening culminated with a medley of “What Child is This” and “Tossing the Feathers”, a Celtic reel, that had the whole crowd clapping and tapping in time. A totally delightful evening enjoyed by an appreciative audience. Our thanks to Shelby and Jenna, their folks Kelly and Amanda, and all who attended for a wonderful concert. Their innovative and unique singing and songwriting is showcased on their first album, “The Road”, a great Christmas gift idea, available directly from the Doll’s or online. - Del Ramage review in The Mountaineer

Like the belles of a bluegrass ball, the Doll Sisters are a cute duo putting out melancholy roots music, like a darker dixie chicks, or a more youthful Allison Krauss. In "Blue Skies Always," the songs message is hopeful, balancing the haunting dual vocals, weepy fiddle sighs, and spidery banjo playing against strong rhythmic strums, while "Sorrow," opens like a morning crest over a civil war battlefield, followed by the insistent banjo like the march of many doomed troops. Imagery aside, this rustic, and classic take on a simpler time of music, is admirable, and wholly enjoyable.

By Cody Blevins - Vents Magazine

3.5 OUT OF 4 STARS
"Vocal magic" would be a term I would use to describe these ladies. It's almost as if
their voices meld into the other. They are very complimentary- soft, subtle and sweet.
Jenna and Shelby Doll were born to harmonize together. I find their vocals quite divine
as well as their lyrical content. The Doll Sisters have an honest, simple songwriting
technique that is very appealing. I would love to see them perform live!

They also play a ton of instruments. Some include guitar, banjo, bodhran, mando,
mouth organ, fiddle and tin whistle! (I had to look up tin whistle myself?) The Doll
Sisters are a two person band! They incorporate so many styles in their music as well,
Bluegrass, Celtic and Folk. Whether you're a fan of these particular genres or not,
these young ladies are worth a little of your time. Give them a listen and you may find
them as enjoyable as I have! They've gained a new fan.

The Doll Sisters- It would be so cool if we could support ourselves with our music. Right
now, that is our goal. Of course we would love if we could be playing for thousands of
people too! Music is so creative, and if we could have it as our career, that would be
wonderful. Some short term goals are: getting our CD completed, expanding to a
younger and broader audience, and getting our music OUT there! One more thing -
someday we hope to have our originals heard by some of our musical heroes who
have inspired us to write the songs in the first place - Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin,
Gillian Welch, and many, many more :)"


Review by: Leslie White - IAE Magazine

"Perry Jacobson, president of the ACPA and a resident of Cochrane, calls it the original western art and the folk song of the cowboy."
"Among the performers on hand are legends Rod Erickson, Doc Hayes and Charlie Ewing, along with some newcomers like The Doll Sisters, out of Rocky Mountain House.
"They're really terrific. They're going to be big stars if they keep going." said Jacobson." - Reagen Sulewski - Cochrane Times

"The Doll sisters aim to entertain.
If you missed the musical duo - Jenna and Shelby - perform at the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association's celebration of western culture Sept. 26-27 at the Ranchehouse, they will be back again Oct. 7 at noon at St. Andrew's United Church.
They are just very, very good. They sing gospel and Celtic and being from the western area I think that appeals to a lot of people," said Claudette Geals, who first saw them perform in Airdrie at a yodel fest last spring."
"The sisters from Rocky Mountain House have performed together for 2 years at churches, festivals, and fundraisers. They play a variety of roots, folk, bluegrass, cowboy western, gospel, and Celtic music, inspired by their parent's taste in music.
"My dad really likes that type of music so he infected the rest of us," said Shelby. "Pop music, sometimes it seems a little generic, so it's fun to do something different than what everyone else is doing."
So far the only self-promotion the sisters have done is play their music.
"We perform somewhere and then somebody else asks us. It's all been word of mouth," said Shelby.
They put out an album in June called Looking Out, which is also the title track they wrote.
"I think the best part is being able to do something creative and something different," said Shelby. "We've had so many opportunities to do things we don't usually get to do."" - Sara Francis - Cochrane Times

"...followed by the gregarious and incredibly talented Doll Sisters of Rocky Mountain House. Shelby played the fiddle while Jenna was on guitar...." - Tracy Coueslan - The Innisfail Province

"Shelby Doll, one of two sisters that comprise The Doll Sisters, fiddled, yodelled and sung brilliantly at Yodel Fest 2009" - Airdrie Echo

"Shelby and Jenna Doll, rising stars of the future on fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin, bluegrass music at it's best". - The Western Star

"...followed by the gregarious and incredibly talented Doll Sisters of Rocky Mountain House. Shelby played the fiddle while Jenna was on guitar...." - Tracy Coueslan - The Innisfail Province

"The Doll Sisters, Shelby and Jenna are quickly becoming seasoned performers. They have tight harmony, melody and rhythm, plus an excellent name" - Danny Gibson - The Western Star

"It starts off with the brilliant sound of a strongly played fiddle, then the guitar begins adding rhythm and soul, but it isn't until Shelby and Jenna Doll's harmonizing voices are added does the song "Wayfaring Stranger," come to life."
"The Doll Sisters, Shelby and Jenna, are talented local musicians who are able to expertly harmonize" - Jessica Jones - The Mountaineer

"The bluegrass band The Larsgard family made a long overdue return to Grandview Stage in the company of The Doll Sisters. What a treat it was to see such wonderful talent...
The Doll Sisters opened the evening. Sisters Jenna and Shelby sing old time bluegrass and Celtic tunes and ballads, with Jenna on guitar and Shelby on the fiddle. One of the crowd favorites was the final tune, sung without accompaniment in the first part, and to the fiddle and Bodhran (Celtic drum) in the second part. Wonderful harmonies from these fine upcoming talents, these young ladies cast a special spell. Catch them at any number of upcoming venues, they are getting very popular and are well worth seeing.
Both the Larsgards and The Doll Sisters put on a great show." - The Mountaineer

"The Doll sisters aim to entertain.
If you missed the musical duo - Jenna and Shelby - perform at the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association's celebration of western culture Sept. 26-27 at the Ranchehouse, they will be back again Oct. 7 at noon at St. Andrew's United Church.
They are just very, very good. They sing gospel and Celtic and being from the western area I think that appeals to a lot of people," said Claudette Geals, who first saw them perform in Airdrie at a yodel fest last spring."
"The sisters from Rocky Mountain House have performed together for 2 years at churches, festivals, and fundraisers. They play a variety of roots, folk, bluegrass, cowboy western, gospel, and Celtic music, inspired by their parent's taste in music.
"My dad really likes that type of music so he infected the rest of us," said Shelby. "Pop music, sometimes it seems a little generic, so it's fun to do something different than what everyone else is doing."
So far the only self-promotion the sisters have done is play their music.
"We perform somewhere and then somebody else asks us. It's all been word of mouth," said Shelby.
They put out an album in June called Looking Out, which is also the title track they wrote.
"I think the best part is being able to do something creative and something different," said Shelby. "We've had so many opportunities to do things we don't usually get to do."" - Sara Francis - Cochrane Times