Sally Barris
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Sally Barris

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Solo Folk Bluegrass

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"Restless Soul Review by Alan Maverick"

Sally Barris
Restless Soul
Wrensong 42205-5
****1/2

Songwriter poised to make the breakthrough to international recognition as a major recording artist
Like Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mindy Smith and Allison Moorer, Sally Barris doesn’t easily fit into the country genre, but is one of the most talented writers currently working in Nashville. Over the past few years she’s had cuts by Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Kathy Mattea, Jessi Alexander, Kate MacKenzie and more recently Trisha Yearwood. RESTLESS SOUL is Sally’s third album and leaves her first two CDs in the dust. It sounds somewhat more mainstream than its predecessors, but a lot of that has to do with how eclectic it is and also how much of a better recording it is. The sound quality is as good as it gets. The vocals are clear and the guitars are rich sounding. The mix is perfect.
Sally wrote all eleven songs, some with such Music Row stalwarts as Mark Sanders, Liz Rose, Jon Randall, Jessi Alexander and Cory Mayo, but mainly by herself. A lot of work was put into the making of this album and there is not one throwaway song here. The title track is a great slow ballad. There is really nice guitar pickin’, and Sally’s vocals are really in touch with the mood of the song. There is a guitar riff that does a lot for this song, great musical hook with on-the-mark harmonies by Michael Kelsh. Tears of Joy is rooted in traditional bluegrass but also nods to country, then there’s the wry break-up song, Being Gone, while Huntington River is an awesome story ballad with great harmony by Jon Randall and Stuart Duncan on mournful fiddle. Duncan’s fiddle is to the fore on My Love Loves The Ocean, an intriguing ballad rooted in traditional British folk music. Last Drink Of Wine has some nice acoustic guitar, a really rich sounding track with inventive percussion and great accordion courtesy of Jeff Taylor. This has an enticing melody, and Sally’s vocals just pull you in.
If you’re a fan of the likes of Kathy Mattea, Mindy Smith, Lee Ann Womack or Alison Krauss, then you need to rush out and buy RESTLESS SOUL. Throughout Sally Barris is singing with a natural timbre and great confidence. The whole album has a very high quality vibe with country, folk, bluegrass, Celtic and Americana influences. Ms Barris has really grown in her vocals and her approach to her music. This is going to be a hard CD to top. AC
- AAG Publishing Limited


"Quotes"

“Sally Barris has a voice like sparkling crystal. You could have knocked me over with a feather the first time I heard her. Her writing is from a deep, yet innocent, place and her point of view is just a bit off center. I am excited for her, she is standing at the beginning of her journey in this town, with all of it ahead of her. It reminds me of the first time I heard Beth Nielson-Chapman or Nanci Griffith. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
- Kathy Mattea


“Her soulful folk soprano is equal parts mountain rustic and ethereal poet. The slowly building production begins with a gentle rhythm section then bubbles of keyboard and guitar come to the surface creating ripples of pleasure. Everything about this disc is beautiful.”
- Music Row Magazine (review of Reluctant Daughter)


“What an amazing voice! Sally Barris has an excruciatingly beautiful voice.”
- Pierce Pettis


“Excellent, nay superb, brilliant, etc… album.”
- Kelvin Henderson BBC Radio South (review of Reluctant Daughter)


“This good album is full of top class, well written songs on the folky side of country.”
- Graham Hassall, Radio Nightingale, UK (review of Reluctant Daughter)


“The singer/songwriter/guitarists sweet voice and intriguing melodies will draw you in, and then her thoughtful and emotional lyrics will make you listen over and over again with growing admiration.”
- Jessica Marshall


“Sally’s debut CD is filled with her own intriguing crisp melodies and on target lyrics about life and love.”
- Martha Moore Country Music Plus, Ireland (review of Reluctant Daughter)


“...progressive folk sensibility with a storyteller’s command, a strong backbone, and a confectioner’s dusting of country blues...Barris is somehow able to wield a highly individualized sense of melody and song shape into tunes you can imagine other top vocalists covering. In a sea of fair to middling singer/songwriter albums, this comes highly recommended.”
- Craig Havighurst The Tennessean (review of Reluctant Daughter)
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Discography

“I’m On My Way” - Kellie Pickler - Small Town Girl - BNA - 2006
“Honey Suckle Sweet” - Jessi Alexander - Honey Suckle Sweet - Columbia – 2005
“Holdin’ Back Your Love” - Jessi Alexander - Honey Suckle Sweet - Columbia – 2005
“The Innocent Years” - Kathy Mattea - The Innocent Years - Mercury - 2001
“Callin’ My Name” - Kathy Mattea - The Innocent Years - Mercury - 2001
“Some Things I Know” - James Bonamy - Roots & Wings - Epic - 1997
“Some Things I Know” - Lee Ann Womack - Some Things I Know - Decca - 1998
“Some Things I Know” - Billy Gilman - Dare To Dream - Epic - 2001
“Comet” - Pierce Pettis - Everything Matters - Compass - 1999
“Love’s Gonna Carry Me Home” - Pierce Pettis - Making Light of It - Compass - 1996
“Standing Still” - Kate McKenzie - Age of Innocence - Red House - 1996
“Standing Still” - Tom Kimmel - Shallow Water - Point Clear - 2002
“My Christmas Wish” - John Michael Montgomery - Mr. Snowman - Warner Bros - 2003
“Last Drink of Wine” - Dale Ann Bradley - East Kentucky Blues - Pine Castle - 1997
“Reluctant Daughter” - Martina McBride - Martina - RCA - 2003
“Let’s Surrender” - Lee Ann Womack - Something Worth Leaving Behind - MCA - 2002
“Satisfied” - Ashley Monroe - SINGLE - Columbia - 2006

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Bio


Sally Barris is an A-list Nashville songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack. Her song “Let The Wind Chase You”, recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban, received a Grammy nomination for vocal collaboration in 2009.

While her writing credits mightily impress, fans and peers are most captivated by her bright spirit and expressive mountain soprano.  Dirty Linen says “Barris knows how to write lyrics that are as forthright as a stream of clear water and how to support them with melodies that share that quality”. 

When Sally is not touring solo, she is known as “Sister Waymore” in the power trio; The Waymores with Tom Kimmel and Don Henry.

In the last 3 years, the Minnesota native has performed Mountain Stage,  New Bedford Summer Fest,  The Wildflower Festival and The Kerrville Folk Festival. Sally is currently touring with her new cd “Wilder Girl”. 

Band Members