Biography
Amanda Pearcy’s soulful and country-leaning Americana music took root in her hardscrabble history, authentically grounded in a raw and earthy, soulful voice. Testifying to her southeast Texas upbringing, with the region’s multicultural mix, its Gulf of Mexico coastline, and its shared border with Louisiana’s Acadiana, the songs on Pearcy’s second CD, Royal Street, carry a sense, and the sensuality, of the South, weaving themes of home and its loss; love, both surrendered to, and longed for; the casting of spells; the ties that bind old friends; and our human experience’s collective memory. Produced by Tim Lorsch, Royal Street is a true album, a collection of songs that settle in for the ride through Texas to New Orleans and back again; the journey being a testament of life’s tougher lessons learned too young, and the insight that comes with getting to the other side of them.
~Royal Street~ #1 on the March 2013 EuroAmericana Chart (and debuted at #2 on the Feb. chart).
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4**** “An album that you simply must go and listen, because it is nothing but a first class stunner.”
~Rein Van Den Berg, Johnny’s Garden
“Strong stuff…reminiscent of Mary Gauthier… Pearcy reaches deep down and produces a couple of tear jerking ballads that could stop you in your tracks. The emotional vocal delivery sends shivers down the spine. Pearcy has an attractive bluesy husk of a voice that is perfectly suited to her gospel soul and country sound that peppers the album. It’s fair to say that all of Pearcy’s songs on the album are of a high standard.”
~Paul Kerr, Blabber ‘n’ Smoke, Glasgow, Scotland
“It surprises me every week the beautiful pictures that are created in this genre, but Amanda Pearcy’s Royal Street is such a rare album, after first listening, you never want to let go. Do not miss it. …a voice that quite easily causes goose bumps…All the above is more than sufficient to make an album with a silver lining, but Amanda Pearcy excels on Royal Street also as a songwriter. It is significant that “No Expectations”, by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, does not rise above the other songs on the album.”
~ Erwin Zijleman, De Krenten Uit de Pop, The Netherlands
“She creates a hugely evocative atmosphere on every song…and what tremendous songs they are, with some gorgeous melodies that stay in the memory, and lyrics that are beautiful poetic reflections on life. An album that, more than most, repays repeated listening sessions with its poeticism, sense of drama, and varied tempos and moods…rewardingly mature. Amanda possesses a lovely rich vocal style that is full of character and believability, with a maturity that avoids the cloying sweetness of many of her peers… even at times having an appealing bluesiness. Amanda’s aching vocals dredge every drop of feeling out of the very good “Better on My Own". Many of these excellent songs are lyrically downbeat but with the stylistic variation and the varied music and vocals, the album never descends into self-pity or gloom.”
~ Mike Morrison, American Roots UK
“Brilliant album.”, “…songs of undeniable intensity sung with a fragile, “country-noir” voice...The majestic “Unbind” leaves the listener speechless, the beautiful melancholy making this song one of the highlights of an already excellent CD. I also have a huge weakness for “Forgiven”. But whether Amanda Pearcy sings her roots tinged waltz, “Lackin ‘in Nothin’”, or her impassioned take on the Rollings Stones’ “No Expectations”, she comes across brilliantly throughout.”
~ Ed Muitjens, AltCountry Forum, The Netherlands
“There are discs that have the extraordinary power to pick us up and take us to another place, sometimes in another era- that is certainly the case with Royal Street…” and “Amanda Pearcy is halfway between the voices of Rosanne Cash and Joan Armatrading.”
~ Marco Restelli, Roots Highway, Italy
4**** “Americana at its most original!”
~ Benny Metten, Ctrl. Alt. Country e-zine, Belgium
4**** “…a very fine and talented singer-songwriter. There’s no doubt about it, Amanda Pearcy earns her place in the Austin scene.”
~ Cis Van Looy, Keys and Chords, Belgium
“…a gem, shining like a Texan sun in the Americana world of the South… Amanda’s voice can not fail to charm, there is no voice like hers, soulful and wonderfully sensual. A masterful CD that deserves wide circulation.”
~ Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands
“…evocative, passionate, and engaging… Amanda Pearcy, an artist who is definitely on track.” ~ Remo Ricaldone, Lonestar Time, Italy
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.