The Rosellys

Rebecca and Simon Rosellys have been part of the UK roots scene for a number of years, their live shows and two duo albums garnering deserved praise from musicians, critics and audiences alike. On September 7th The Rosellys will be releasing a new album, The Granary Sessions, on the UK independent label Clubhouse Records (Case Hardin, Redlands Palomino Company, Cale Tyson, amongst others). The album, recorded and co-produced in their home studio – ‘The Granary’ – by Alex Elton-Wall, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of acclaimed UK alt country band Redlands Palomino Company, is their first full band release, taking the band to an exciting new level. Since an early age Simon has been immersed in roots music, both as a fan and a musician. He toured throughout UK, Europe and the Middle East as a member of the much-loved Cajun/zydeco band, Le Bon Temps Playboys, alongside his father Allan who now, unsurprisingly, plays pedal steel and resonator in his son’s band. Simon met Rebecca, a qualified doctor and herself an exemplary songwriter, in 2005 and since then they have been writing songs and performing as The Rosellys both here in the UK and on regular tours to the US in their trusty (near-legendary) VW van where they have built up a sizeable following of their own. The Granary, a converted barn in the heart of the Gloucestershire countryside provided the ideal location to record the new album. With Elton-Wall’s laidback, uncomplicated approach to recording the album was able to take shape of its own accord, slowly, organically and without any of the usual time restraints and complications with the input of fellow band members – Allan Kelly (Pedal Steel/Resonator) and Matt Kirby (bass). All of the songs on The Granary Sessions, like many of the great country records of years gone by, are drawn from personal experiences of love, loss, old true tales and endless hours on the road. For example the spirited opener, “A Thousand Miles”, was written after one such endless journey from Nashville to Texas whilst “Ashville 1784” recounts a true story of a soldier killed in North Carolina leaving his wife forced to run away with their baby. The exquisite voice of Hannah Elton-Wall from Redlands permeates many of the tracks here as a guest backing vocalist whilst Rebecca’s mother and father, Helena and Michael Rosewell, add piano and cello to further enhance the wonderful sonic hue. The alluring beauty and song-craft of “Maryland” a song paying tribute the lost genius of Eva Cassidy and beautifully delivered in Rebecca’s haunting vocal style and the deeply personal “Made A Choice” are two standouts on an album full to the brim with songs that once heard will be resonating around your head for a long time to come. It’s clear from the opening bars of The Granary Sessions that here we have a band not only totally comfortable in their own musical skin but, as a group of musicians all drawing from the same well of inspiration – an absolute love of country roots music – a band that really can reach for the stars. The musicianship throughout is both complimentary and intuitive to the songs, themselves wonderfully crafted tales straight from the heart. Make no mistake The Rosellys are set to become a major force on the UK roots scene and further afield and with the release of The Granary Sessions their already excellent reputation is set to be enhanced even further.