Carolyn Sills

 

Press for Carolyn Sills

"Carolyn Sills is a multi-media musical maverick now residing in Santa Cruz. Her music and videos are silly—but silly in that good-hearted, whimsical way that the world needs more of. In the Patsy Cline Spectacular show she might put on a beard, but beard or not, expect swinging hits of the ’50s and ’60s—peppered with Cline’s greatest hits. Her recent holiday tribute song to Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey is accompanied by an animated short that looks like it was made in the early days of Max Fleischer—a talented fun performer whom the Cruz should adopt immediately." - Santa Cruz Good Times

"Channeling the playful, sultry approach of the pop vocalists of the 1940s and ’50s as easily as she plays twang, surf or spaghetti-western instrumentals, Carolyn Sills is a multifaceted singer/songwriter/bassist with a penchant for pop." - Santa Cruz Weekly

"Carolyn Sills has been winning over Santa Cruz music lovers with her 'Patsy Cline Spectacular' concerts. After years in New York City, playing bass with country/rockabilly outfits and singing with the likes of Les Paul, Carolyn Sills has relocated to the west coast to bring her one-of-a-kind show to Santa Cruz County. Sultry 1940’s and 50’s pop, lively twang, surf, rock n’ roll ballads all torched and red hot are part of the mix." - San Jose Mercury News

“To say that [Carolyn] Sills’ singing is sultry is an immense understatement… her vocals resonate with a throaty anguish, torch songs sung straight from the heart… The effect is mesmerizing.” – Michael Dregni, Vintage Guitar Magazine

“Swing meets cool jazz & blues with a touch of country twang… Carolyn’s voice soothes your tired soul, leaving you aching for more.” – Michelle Terranova, Go Kat Go Radio

“… (her music) conjures up a misty past of dim juke joints and neon-lit roadhouses from the end of time. The effect is mesmerizing.” – Michael Dregni, Vintage Guitar Magazine

Press for the song 'George Bailey'

"Even as the holiday tunes come out at a flood-like pace this year, few tunes seem as perfect to hear around the tree as “George Bailey,” the latest from singer and bass master Carolyn Sills. Inspired by the very same character from It’s a Wonderful Life, the song is a pop-gem throwback that’s bound to spread good vibes to your whole family" - Mog Music Network, 12/20/2010

"Up second is our new favorite HOLIDAY song, “George Bailey” as sung by Carolyn Sills … an animated masterpiece that will surely be finding its way down the chimneys of music lovers around the world this holiday season (and many more to come in the future)!" - Brian Ball, Women's Radio 11/25/10

“This (George Bailey) is one of my favorite Christmas singles, not only this year by the way, of the past 10 or 15…” – Paul Richards, WHLI New York

“This one is so sweet and catchy, it should be an instant classic. Really, it’s that good. And the animation is a whimsical tribute to the old Fleischer cartoons of the Capra era. Give it a listen. And no matter your woes or last minute shopping pressures, you’ll think, yeah, It’s a Wonderful Life. Just amazing what one little song can do to alter your outlook.” – Amy Beth Arkawy, Radio Graffiti

“Capturing the seemingly forgotten classic Christmas rock sound (the echoing drum and cymbals lead in told me right off this would be special), “George Bailey” could have been recorded in 1959 as easily as 2009. Great lyrics, great music and a great subject all add up to an instant classic now in my top ten Christmas songs of all time.” – Travis, She’ll Grow Back

“… it pleases me no end, that this song sent over recently, completely and utterly reminds me of the happy up beat moods of that glorious (Phil Spector) album… the lo-fi-but-not production, the jingle bells, the vocals, well, everything really… to add the heart warming charm is a chucklesome animation that proves that it’s not only ireallylovemusic hq that gets a complete scrub down prior to the cracking open of any wine bottle.” – Mark E., ireallylovemusic.co.uk

“Carolyn Sills’ exuberant “George Bailey” is a successful and tasteful ode to two American archetypes of both film and music. Sills’ track is an obvious homage to the classic Spector Christmas recordings that (for better or for worse) presented to us the template of what a good Christmas themed pop record should be. Additionally, the song uses the same method and ethos of production (“The Wall of Sound”) that gave Spector his signature sound and stack of hits back in the day. It’s been around 50 years since the Ronettes and Crystals sang to us about Christmas lore so a track dedicated to recreating that special feeling shall not be deemed irrelevant nor derivative in my book (or blog).” – IndieDots.Net

“Carolyn Sills’ “George Bailey” is the best holiday song of the year.” – Todd, South Dakota Dark

“ It’s interesting to find how many current holiday songs mention It’s A Wonderful Life. Brooklyn-based singer-bass player Carolyn Sills goes them all one better by devoting an entire song to Frank Capra’s classic flick and its put-upon hero. Set to an inviting arrangement that mixes twangy Country & Western music with a bit of the 1960s girl group sound, “George Bailey” merrily whisks us off to Bedford Falls.” – Terry Flamm, Broken Hearted Toy

“… And our current fave seasonal delight is the song “George Bailey” by singer/ songwriter, Carolyn Sills and chums. The infectiously catchy tune was inspired by the Frank Capra Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life and its small-town hero, George Bailey (James Stewart)… With its up-tempo chirpy 50s flavour, the song is a treat for those both unfamiliar and well accustomed with the film. And the lyrics themselves are packed with cute and clever references, the chorus especially spot-on… The classic-in-the-making has… gorgeous complementary black and white animation from Rob Ludacer. Enjoy and you just try not to get in the Xmas atmos!” – Boxwish Music Reviews

“George Bailey – Carolyn Sills slaps the back-beat rhythm on her bass and swings a love song to the character that comes into our homes and hearts each year with ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, George Bailey. Yes, she speaks up so George can hear with his good ear.” – The Alternate Root

Press for the Patsy Cline Show

“Patsy Cline Tribute, done as well as the living can do…” – Rodeo Bar, NYC

“Carolyn Sills and her band, The Poor Man’s Roses, dare to emulate the sounds of country music icon Patsy Cline – and they exceed all expectations!  Sills uses her own voice, a mix of beauty and soul, with a dose of Cline’s inflections to achieve a sincere tribute that is full of confidence.” – Michael Anthony 90.3FM, NYC

“… old-timey country and rock and roll band from New York City, this one good enough to make you forget you’re standing in the middle of Brooklyn in 2006.” – L Magazine, NYC