Underhill Rose
Asheville, North Carolina, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF
Music
Press
“One of the most promising rootsy women artists in the Americana scene.” - No Depression
Melding their influences of folk, jazz, blues, pop and country into one glorious whole, founding members Eleanor Underhill and Molly Rose Reed, along with Salley Williamson, have been travelling far from their North Carolina base for several years, bringing their music across the USA and to Europe. This album, recorded over a couple of nights in front of appreciative hometown crowds in Asheville and Lexington last year, is a testament to the joy of their live performances. The fifteen songs here cover the gamut of their original material and their judicious choice of contemporary covers.
While they are essentially a string band playing traditional instruments, there’s a contemporary sensibility to their music. Most striking of all, however, are their soulful three part harmonies - so sweetly blended they are that one could be forgiven for thinking that they are sisters.
Eleanor’s clawhammer style banjo playing is a dominant force throughout these recordings, so it’s not a surprise that she’s a Deering Banjo endorsed artist. Her sweet playing might even be enough to win over those odd few who think they don’t actually like the much maligned banjo! She sings lead on her own song, the country bluesy Whispering Pines Hotel, and you’re immediately transported to another place - think swampy southern badlands.
Her harmonica playing is also striking and used to good effect on several songs. Salley Williamson’s bass playing ably anchors down the trio throughout. They Got my Back is her lovely tribute to the power of friendships from childhood - her vocals are perfectly complemented here by Eleanor’s harmonica playing.
Molly is the writer of most of the original songs on here, as well as being the guitarist. Her powerful voice has a great range and her songs are memorable and mostly upbeat, with contemporary themes - no murder ballads here.
The five cover versions include a gorgeous rendition of the Jamey Johnson co-write In Colour; an unusual version of Bette Davis Eyes that really works, and the album wraps up with John Prine’s Long Monday
On top of all this, the CD is lovingly presented in an ethically-sourced cardboard digipak, featuring linocuts and woodcuts by the multitalented Molly Rose Reed. Highly recommended. - Lonesome Highway
"If justice prevails, The Great Tomorrow will open the door to the wider awareness they so decidedly deserve." - Glide Magazine
“Take a listen to the music of Eleanor Underhill, Molly Rose, and Salley Williamson, and you will be transported to a sound that has several different ingredients – but at the end of the day, it all comes together to make a dazzling fusion of Country, Bluegrass, Pop, and even a little bit of Tin Pan Blues.” - MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE
Discography
Underhill Rose (self-titled) - 2011
Something Real - 2013
One Time a Year (single) - 2013
The Great Tomorrow - 2015
Live - 2017
Photos
Bio
Harmonies. Soul-touching lyrics. Eye-catching stage presence. Underhill Rose has become synonymous with beautiful music, charming personalities, and rippling success. In the last four years, the group from Asheville, North Carolina has independently released two albums in the top of the Americana Music Association Airplay Chart and Roots Music Report Chart, all the while garnering critical acclaim from around the globe.
Get to know the joyful soaring voice of Molly Rose and her acoustic guitar and the distinctive styling of Eleanor Underhill’s open-back banjo and salty-blues vocals. Their close harmonies and charisma make most think they are sisters, and with their song-centered original compositions, Underhill Rose creates music that is real and inspired. See them on PBS Television, hear them on nationally-syndicated radio and at live performances, and you will know how Underhill Rose has carved out a distinctive place in the Americana-folk scene.
For their most recent release, the authentic, live sound was captured in their home state over two starry nights. Featuring original songs from their three studio albums, Underhill Rose’s Live covers the depth and joy of nearly a decade of musical partnership. The stripped-down sound highlights the soulful harmonies that originally brought Eleanor and Molly together to play music. By removing the bells and whistles of past recordings, Underhill Rose reveals the fundamental elements of their sound: a powerful ensemble in full bloom.
The successful completion of two crowd-funding campaigns raised over $50,000 and freed the group to independently release two noteworthy and charting albums. Their sophomore release, Something Real, peaked at number 18 on the AMA Chart, was named an AMA Top 100 Album of the Year, and claimed a spot in the top 25 of the EuroAmericana Chart, Freeform Americana Radio, and The Alternate Root “Roots 66” charts. In 2015, the band’s tertiary album, The Great Tomorrow, released to wide acclaim, reached the Top 30 of the AMA Airplay Chart once again, and took hold at number 1 on The Roots Music Report’s Progressive Bluegrass Album Chart for over nine weeks. R2 Magazine notes, “The Great Tomorrow is simply top-class country music, seasoned beautifully and seamlessly with earworm hooks and bluesy edges, all delivered with instrumental panache and supremely confident singing.”
Molly Rose and Eleanor Underhill’s friendship is the result of a chance meeting at a makeshift performance of John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” between classes at Warren Wilson College. Their affinity for the music they make has kept them together for more than 10 years. Underhill Rose formed in 2009 and has since blossomed into an internationally-recognized band known for blending aspects of Americana, R&B, country, and bluegrass into an authentic sound that is all their own—“Heartfelt Country Soul.” Armed with a fresh sound and an extraordinary ability to blend a multitude of musical genres, Underhill Rose will touch your heart.
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