Artist: Roseanne Reid
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland
Latest Album: Trails
Sounds like: In her authentic Americana accent: Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams. In her home-grown voice: A folky Eddi Reader
Why You Should Listen: With her stripped-back style Roseanne Reid emphatically demonstrates how less is more. In a voice that evokes East Tennessee rather than her native east coast of Scotland, Reid delves into the human condition without a surplus word or note throughout her debut album, Trails. Teddy Thompsonâs production hones the sparseness to the point that you could be sitting on her porch listening to song after song.
Reid sounds as if sheâs been singing roots Americana for years. Take ‘Amy,’ where a very simple guitar line gives way to the aching regret of unrequited love. Lucinda Williams comes to mind here as does Gillian Welch on ‘Levi,’ wherein Reid offers a sympathetic shoulder to one rejected in love. But, be in no doubt, Reid is an original. She sings ‘Out in Space’ in a soft Scottish lilt.
If you need any endorsement before giving Reid a go, then how about Steve Earle? Thatâs him duetting on ‘Sweet Annie,’ a collaboration that occurred after Reid had attended one of his Camp Copperhead songwriting workshops. She can also already count Elton John, who has been playing her on his radio show, among her biggest fans.
Roseanne Reid has been immersed in music since learning guitar aged 12. Her dad is Craig Reid of The Proclaimers, whose record collection of country, folk, and gospel enthused young Roseanne. But it was Mum who taught her to play guitar.
In spite of her famous father, Roseanne went her own way, starting on the local folk club circuit, often open mic nights. Reidâs unique form of Americana may soon have fans on both sides of the pond very willing to walk at least five hundred miles to hear her. In fact, she has just been announced as an official showcasing artist at Americanafest in Nashville in September.
Photo credit: Bianca Cecilla
