We review Carrellee’s newbie
Carrellee
‘Once There Was’
Out 14 February 2020
By Rob Dickens
Carrellee’s full-length debut Once There Was unlocks many treasures – elegant vocals and smooth acoustic guitar adorned with grace and precision by striking electric and pedal-steel guitar.
There is a calm shimmer in the arrangements which fits perfectly as the artist takes us on a deeply personal journey.
Carrellee, then performing as Sarah Pray, began her music career in Minneapolis which eventually led to touring the U.S. and Europe, including sharing the stage with notables Jim Lauderdale, The Cactus Blossoms and the Felice Brothers. After ten years of touring and relocating, she returned to her hometown in Wisconsin in 2016 and decided to adopt a name that honors the women in her family. Carrellee derives from the names of her grandmother Carrell and mother Lee.
Once There Was took three years to complete and adding to the reflective and emotive lyrics and tone are some talented, extra fingerprints – engineer and co-producer Jacob Detering (Son Volt, Bonnie Raitt) and the great Mark Spencer (Son Volt) on pedal steel, organ and electric guitar (listen to his beautiful playing on the soulful and insistent “St Louis”).
Carrellee is a striking new roots music presence.
Once There Was will be released on streaming platforms on February 14, 2020, with support from Gold Ship Records of Bristol, Tennessee.
Here is the official clip for the album opener “Like It Matters”:
Here is the pre-order link
ADVERTISE ON LISTENING THROUGH THE LENS
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We review Carrellee’s newbie
