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"The Bay Area based Stairwell Sisters are knocking 'em dead from the shores of Lake Wobegone to the stages of London Town with their high-energy picking and buck dancing. Their latest self released album, Get Off Your Money, was produced by Americana legend Lloyd Maines and is evenly split between traditional tunes and originals written in the old-time style, every one of them a gem. The Sisters stretch the boundaries of old-time music while still staying true to its traditional roots, and their upcoming show will undoubtedly be unruly..." - j.poet . . . . STRACHUR HALL, SCOTLAND - 2009 "Strachur Village Hall...crammed tae the rafters wi' hairy woodmen sittin there darin' these wee lassies tae entertain them...They never knew whit hit them, in five minutes the audience were stampin' their feet and clappin' their hands like weans at a picnic, at the end the girls couldnae get aff the stage, they just blew the dourest audiance in Scotland, away. Strachur had never seen dancin' like it since Half Hung Erchie did his wee jig at the end o' a rope! "The Stairwell sisters are an outfit to be reckoned with...They've got everything, beauty, intelligence, energy and most important of all a heartfelt commitment to the music they play and its history. This was not simply a performance, but an experience that not one member of the audience will ever forget." As one said "Had it been Christmas, the audience would have wrapped the girls up in tinsel and taken them home." Note: "Half Hung Erchie"...Archie McPhunn was a Strachur man hung for sheep stealing in the 1750's. After the execution, McPhunn's family cut down the body and revived the "dead" man with a mixture of mothers milk and whisky!.....Mcphunn survived another 30 years, rejoicing in the nickname of "Half Hung Erchie". His grave survives in Strachur Churchyard. . . . . EAST BAY EXPRESS, 2008 Stairwell Sisters chosen "BEST OF THE EAST BAY OLD SCHOOL" The Stairwell Sisters, an all-woman acoustic bluegrass ensemble, pay homage to old-time music in a thoroughly modern way. The Berkeley band draws musical inspiration from the old days of country and bluegrass, but its sound and subject matter almost has a punk-rock edge to it. Live shows tell all -- the sisters come out on stage in their trademark red and black and often start things off with some wild buckdancing and a capella songs. All five band members have strong singing voices and powerful skills with their string instruments -- the dobro slide guitar, banjo, bass, guitar, and fiddle -- and the vocal and instrumental harmony they forge is so tight and energetic you can't keep from movin' along with their tunes... . . . . ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS - January, 2008 "Whether they're singing about a burned dinner or a cryin' baby, an empty wallet or a disappointing lover, The Stairwell Sisters crank out an acoustic, old-timey sound with a punk-rock intensity." . . . . LA WEEKLY - September, 2007 "Full-blown old-time stringband action, up to and including clogging, from this well-regarded, all-female quintet." . . . . METRO SANTA CRUZ - September, 2007 "These talented women keep the stringband tradition alive and hopping with tight vocal harmonies, buckdancing, haunting ballads and dynamic original material...they have a ball while challenging the audience to do the same." . . . . f ROOTS - May 2007 "Five multi-instrumental, singing, dancing old-time gals hit the UK…their sassy modern take on southern old-time string band music was so feisty..they caught everyone’s attention.” . . . . THE OWL MAG - April 2007 Somehow, over the past few years, American roots country (mountain music, if you will) has really etched a place for itself in the Bay Area. San Francisco's Stairwell Sisters are of this resurgence, and Feet All Over the Floor is an enthusiastic tight-harmonied second album. These good-time gals breathe a loving soul into an antiquated genre, while rousing instrumentals relentlessly incite foot-tapping and thigh-slapping. Even production plays a part in the era Sisters evoke: "Stranger Stop & Cast An Eye," a song featuring lyrics from old grave epitaphs eerily rocks through a stairwell. This gritty album is a testament to storytelling and how one man's trash can be these women's treasure. - Bernadette Harris . . . . THE SCOTSMAN - January 2007 ***** "The five Stairwell Sisters’ gorgeous modern take on Southern old-time stringband music will turn them into the find of this year’s festival [Celtic Connections, Glasgow, UK]. As they sassily body-clapped, step-danced, and delivered their country blues old and new with quiet charisma, they immediately earned themselves a legion of fans...feisty spirit!" . . . . THE METRO - Newcastle, UK - January 2007 Offering a carefree, pure and rowdy sound...these city girls have all the virtues of the country: a simplicity and directness that comes straight from the heart...but it is the power of the original songs that truly confirms The Stairwell Sisters' sincerity and real skill. . . . . DALLAS OBSERVER - November 2006 “...five women who attack string instruments with a veracity that rivals some of rock's most venerated fret-burners…played with a gospel spirit and an expressive playfulness… rarely have songs taken from the public domain sounded so modern and vital.” . . . . SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "...a powerhouse ensemble whose vocal harmonies and stomping rhythms are abetted by Evie Ladin's dexterous clogging." . . . . OLD-TIME HERALD "Combine this band's vocal prowess with skilled multi-instrumental chops and a hellbent-for-leather attitude, and you have a wild funky recording...Brittle, hard-edged, exciting ensemble singing... in which the Sisters rocket into the high lonesome stratosphere." link to full review . . . . SING OUT! MAGAZINE - 2006 "Male or female, one of the best bands in the biz." link to full review . . . . DIRTY LINEN - June/July 2006 "No fake-bravado flash, no glitz…just the real thing. The San Francisco area STAIRWELL SISTERS mesh together in a way that makes the “Sisters” half of its name absolutely appropriate. Fast, well-picked, played-from-the-heart offerings abound." . . . . f ROOTS "...gleefully good instrumentally - with distinctly dirty knees...Big Black Cat is one of my favourite sounds of the summer-gorgeous, throbbing fiddle with dolefully picked banjo and dobro... the languid Paris Waltz is equally divine...overall a truly fine 20-tracks' worth of material!" . . . . BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED - 2006 "The Stairwell Sisters' latest release is reflective of their ever-expanding artistry and reputation...'Feet All Over the Floor' is old-time music at its finest and establishes The Stairwell Sisters as significant interpreters of traditional American music." . . . . CITY PULSE - Lansing, MI You didn’t know we needed a pep-stepping girlie-girl, swamp-chthonic yet leather-tough take on early American roots music, didja? Well, nobody else did either until the hurricane called THE STAIRWELL SISTERS swept out of San Francisco to assume it’s present role as collective dominatrix of allemandes and other unsquare moves. Close harmonies, relentless energy and thundering footwork alternate with footsore ballads as the Sisters take full command. . . . . THE OREGONIAN Review of Pickathon Roots Music Festival, Portland A delightful barn set by San Francisco quartet the Stairwell Sisters opened with homespun harmonizing and percussive ham-bone accompaniment, plus a bit of tap dancing, and even while they gave their stringed instruments a workout, it was the varied vocal blends that charmed. . . . . STRICTLY COUNTRY OFFICIAL EBMA EUROPEAN BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE (Bluegrass, Country & Oldtime Muziek) (The Sisters) play glorious Old Time music...Some of the songs the sisters composed themselves, including one quite topical song with lyrics refering to the Iraq war (and not with praise). The traditional cuts are not known chestnuts, but rather rarer pieces. Quick fiddle tunes predominate, but there are also pensive tones, shades of the blues, and a strong gospel influence that provide variety. This recording features the Dobro, an atypical instrument for Old Time, but the gals integrate it well. All five band members take turns singing, each in her own characteristic voice.The alterating voices prevent monotony. I have seen the ladies now in Nashville and am especially pleased to have taken home this acoustic souvenir. link to full review (and original German) . . . . SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS "Blazing a brilliant trail through a genre usually dominated by men [with] an energy that flows as much from the audience to the bandstand as among the players themselves...the new album captures the band's close vocal harmonies, haunting ballads and lock-step square dance grooves with passion and precision." . . . . OAKLAND TRIBUNE "wild, hard dance music...infectious" . . . . SING OUT! MAGAZINE - 2003 "Exciting and wonderful... glorious harmonies and a driving pulse... The Stairwell Sisters have produced a gem of a recording. Bravo!" link to full review . . . . SKYSCRAPER MAGAZINE - Spring, 2006 "Lots of groups revisit this traditional acoustic Americana; very few are capable of recapturing it's true spirit. The Stairwell Sisters do it, and this is the real deal." link to full review . . . . from Libby Dunbar "Events Coordinator" ELDERLY INSTRUMENTS Lansing, MI2006 Hey Sisters - Thank you SO much for your GREAT performance at Elderly Saturday. It was such a treat – everyone loves your old-time-with-ATTITUDE. You were...captivating. Our employees are largely excellent musicians...they raved about SS' musicianship. You go girls. - Libby . . . . WFHB Bloomington, IN Jim Manion, Program/Music Director "Make room Uncle Earl, Be Good Tanyas and Wailing Jennys - The Stairwell Sisters are here with their deeper-roots female update on early American roots music. Sounding like the fresh branch of a much older tree, The Stairwell Sisters mix old-time dance music and rich folk traditions through stunning vocal harmonies, rhythmic empathy and instrumental verve." . . . . METRO SANTA CRUZ 2005 "...you know that square dancing is HOT! You can't afford to lower your street cred by failing to learn allemand lefts and do-si-dos, and fortunately The Stairwell Sisters are here to command you...(they) are experts at music sweet and hot." link to full review more from the METRO 2006: lovely four-part harmonies and tasteful instrumentation and arrangement— their lyrical content suggests a sly upending of many of the conventions of Americana and folk music. . . . . KSOW, COTTAGE GROVE, OR "You Sisters have the stompin' old timey edge, refined to a brilliant degree of heart and finesse" . . . . LANSING STATE JOURNAL Lansing, MI REVIEW by Chris Rietz of Elderly Instruments Another reason the Stairwell Sisters are the real deal is their astute choice of material – "Feet" is almost completely devoid of the predictable. Six of the 19 tracks are original songs, and they stand up well to the traditional gems. link to full review . . . . HARMONY RIDGE MUSIC "Outstanding, my favorite CD of the year, a real pleasure." . . . . KCBL/BACKROADS BLUEGRASS "I was totally mesmerized while listening to this wonderful project...superb." link to full review . . . . BLUEGRASS BY THE BAY "Five foot-stomping females have the rhyme, rhythm and resophonic to rattle your cage and satisfy your soul." . . . . OLD TIME HERALD "...on the original song "Could It Be Him"...the lyrics were inspired by a friend, a Nicaraguan survivor of the war there, whose son is now fighting in Iraq. This is a powerful song, and includes a verse in Spanish. It's my favorite song on the CD, and I encourage the Stairwell Sisters to keep writing and recording songs with the same relevance and emotional impact; a great direction for the envelope to be pushed." . . . . BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED "The Stairwell Sisters have created a wondrous selection of traditional tunes seething with excitement." link to full review . . . . SANTA FE REPORTER "...the belles of the ball are the lovely Stairwell Sisters, a rootin'-tootin' nuevo-bluegrass quintet who blend obscure songs, Carter Family obsessiveness and uptempo originals." . . . . MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY "rough edged, energetic young 'uns,...The Stairwell Sisters are full of spirited picking" . . . . SUZY THOMPSON San Francisco Bay Area fiddler extraordinaire "These citibilly 'sisters' pick and sing with twang and verve, drawing their material from classic sources like the Carter Family, Hazel & Alice, and the Delmore Brothers. Sweet and haunting harmonies, energetic grooves, and unusual instrumental textures combine with the sisters' natural affinity for this old-fashioned country music to give them that unique Stairwell Sisters sound!" . . . . NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BLUEGRASS SOCIETY "The Stairwell Sisters enthusiastic delivery and heartfelt vocals get your feet stompin' and rarin' to go." link to full review . . . . KDVS Michael Leahy "Cool As Folk" Davis, CA "This is one of the best albums I have heard in a long while." . . . . KALW Peter Thompson "BLUEGRASS SIGNAL" San Francisco, CA "Fine originals enhance what is a spirited and inspired collection." . . . . THE TIMES STANDARD Arcata, CA "Rough and rugged sounds. Dance-inducing delights. [they] throw a hard-line hootenanny." . . . . KEOS John Roths/Music Director - College Station - Texas "Simply marvelous....Well done!!" . . . . TOWN & COUNTRY RADIO - DJ / New Zealand "Many many thanks for sending us your EXCELLENT Stairwell Sisters CD. I just know we'll still be playing songs from this album several years from now. It's not too often that artists who lovingly keep old styles alive surpass the originals. You're genuine treasures!" -Cheers, Eddie O'Strange (2/2/04 - Artists of the Week: THE STAIRWELL SISTERS) . . . . CD BABY customer 5 STARS / Reviewer: Jeff Furman TITLE: "(Better than ralph!) Wonderful music and feel; best version of O Death ever (sorry Ralph, they do it better!)" Great feel and energy to this recording...a real find. especially love the banjo and the vocals but it's all great. . . . . CD BABY customer - Craig Evans (www.frailin.com) { 5 stars } "Wow!! I am SO glad I've discovered the Stairwell Sisters (thank you, John Salmon and Sugarinthegourd.com)! This CD is nothing short of amazing; talented musicians playing with passion and joy! On top of that, the arrangements are refreshing... brilliant! I'm also in awe of the recording quality and mixdown. This CD has my vote for "Best of the Year!" Keep it up, girls!! Wow!" . . . . LOGOS BOOKS & RECORDS - Tom Levey-Galleguillos, DJ "Every song was a lullaby to my soul, from the spookiest & crustiest old-time Appalachian tune to the candy sweetest love song ... you all have made the Stairwell Sisters sound unique and yours but at the same time you have captured the spirit of the original music as if the ghosts of that sound are whispering into your ears as you play." link to full review . . . . EAST BAY EXPRESS - Larry Kelp Stairwell Songs - Old-time is not forgotten The women of the Stairwell Sisters had no trouble picking their second CD's title, Feet All Over the Floor. It's a line from the old folk song "Cindy," and if there's anything the quintet enjoys at least as much as playing old-time string-band music together, it's dancing, from square dancing to clogging. However, they'll be leaving their dancing shoes in the closet for Saturday's CD release concert at 8 p.m. at the Freight & Salvage. Everyone sings, and there is no leader dictating the band's direction, "but we all have strong opinions," fiddler Stephanie Prausnitz says. "The Stairwell Sisters' sound blends all of our influences, ultimately old-time, but with country and bluegrass mixed in. Everything comes from that acoustic, Southern Appalachian, African-Scottish-Irish blend." The group really did get its start in a stairwell five years ago, where dobro guitarist and banjo player Lisa Berman and guitarist Sue Sandlin first tried singing together. Berman, Prausnitz, and bassist Martha Hawthorne all played in acclaimed '90s old-time band Crooked Jades, and when they found banjo player and clogger Evie Ladin, the Stairwell Sisters were complete. Inspired by such pioneers as fiddler Tommy Jarrell and mandolinist Bill Monroe, they also cherish the less-heralded female thread in this American music: the two-thirds women Carter Family, the Coon Creek Girls, the duo Hazel & Alice, and the Bay Area's '70s women string bands Good Ol' Persons and Any Old Time. "Women have always made this music," Prausnitz says, "but they haven't gotten the gigs or recordings the men have. "It is a heritage the Stairwells proudly carry on. TheFreight.org |
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