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Concert Tue Sep 18 2007
Rachel Ries' New Record and CD Release Show
Rachel Ries (myspace) is a classically trained South Dakotan farm girl who now resides in Chicago. On her last record For You Only she used the folk medium to tell her stories of desire, lost love and displacement. On the new record, Without A Bird, it sounds like Rachel has almost come to terms with life in Chicago, while still retaining a certain homesickness for the plains of her youth. There are more tales of relationships that don't come to fruition, missed opportunities and a lot of comings and goings (leaving Chicago, visits from an ex, unable to leave bad relationships).
All the sounds (guitar, piano, cello) and styles (swing, jazz, and country) that were found on For You Only are back and have been built upon on Without a Bird. The result is an unclassifiable sound that won't fit tidily into any one genre. Although it does sidestep noirish jazz, soul barring folk and boozy blues. What to some in the industry would be a music marketing nightmare, is instead a joy to behold for the adventurous listener unconcerned with the indie rock trends of the moment.
Rachel has signed up some of Chicago's best musicians to appear on record and at her live shows. Her cd release party this Sunday, Sept. 23 at The Hideout is a must see. Here's a song from Without A Bird that you'll be able to pick up this Sunday night when you go to the show! "Fine, I'm Fine" is a song that aches with self-doubt ("I've got so much to learn, if I'm in this for good"), gives a shout-out to Andrew Bird ("just put on that Bird song, you know how he sings") and questions life in Chicago ("because I could pick a small town on the prairie instead, stop telling lies and be early to bed") all in a smidge over 3 minutes. It's a good example of the songs found on Without A Bird. Buy the new record (and there really is a record - 180 grams and all) throught Rachel's MySpace page here.
[mp3]: Rachel Ries - "Fine, I'm Fine"
