Gretchen Witt

Music:

Member Since: 1/12/2005
Band Website: gretchenwitt.com
Band Members: GRETCHEN WITT: lead vocals, piano, guitar. IAN RIGGS: upright bass, electric bass. CHRIS BENELLI: drums, percussion. MARCUS WOLF: album production, lead guitar at live shows. RICH HINMAN: guitar at live shows ANN KLEIN: guitar at live shows JOSH ROY BROWN: lap steel, electric guitar. DAVE EGGAR: cello GILAD DOBRECKY: percussion. JENNIFER HAASE: backing vocals
Influences: 10,000 Maniacs, Patty Griffin, Neko Case, Elton John ('70s material), Joni Mitchell, Ray Lamontagne, Tracy Chapman, early Bonnie Raitt, Cheryl Wheeler, Ron Sexsmith, Deb Talan, The Weepies, Allison Krauss & Union Station, Joe Cocker, Lizz Wright, Iris DeMent, Indigo Girls, Tori Amos, Sons of the Never Wrong, Richie Havens, Fleetwood Mac, John Gorka, Norah Jones, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Norman Blake, Doc Watson, Nick Drake, Sam & Dave, Melissa Etheridge, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, Loreena McKennitt, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Mindy Smith, Dolly Parton, John Mellencamp, Chris Smither, The Cranberries, Tom Waits, Nanci Griffith, Ani DiFranco, Stevie Wonder, Cat Stevens, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Nina Simone, Aimee Mann, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Tim O'Brien, Richard Shindell, Mark Erelli, Dixie Chicks, Kate Bush, Dido, Maura O'Connell, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Tim Buckley, Judy Garland, Erasure, The Killers, any woman who sings...
Sounds Like: *from Discovering Artists (www.discoveringartists.com): “Whatever she does, she should keep on doing it because this album is acoustic rock magic. Splashed with the thought-provoking lyrics that exude femininity and edge, catchy rhythms and a pure voice, Gretchen Witt has captured my attention. She's got the flair of Mindy Smith and Alison Krauss mixed with a little Catie Curtis and Jewel. "Smiling for Me" has some quaint piano mixed in with a dainty side, while she heats up with some acoustic rock riffs in "Criminal". Her jazzy track "Over and Done" left me bewildered because of the deep bass sounds and blues vibe. Is there anything this woman can't do musically? I doubt it.”*from Melodic.net (www.melodic.net): “A soft voice and a beautiful and naked guitar is what meet the ear when you put on this 5 track EP with a new discovery for us here at Melodic.Net. And she is well worth your attention if you like Eva Cassidy with a little Linda Ronstadt-twist here and there (at her soft moments), The opening “So Called Bliss” is a nice appetizer and third out “Say So” is another favourite. That is such a soft and beautiful tune with Gretchen’s spread voice; an acoustic guitar and a sweeping slide-guitar painting the landscape. Without a doubt the best moment on the E.P and this song is worth the dollars you have to spend on the album at CD BABY if you like the softer school of female singer songwriters.”*from Ear Candy (http://earcandy_mag.tripod.com): “Her voice is both angelic and powerful: this is top of the line.”*from Red Is All the Rage (www.redisalltherage.com): "I was blown away with how impressive the album was. New York by way of Ohio singer-songwriter Gretchen Witt is skilled...melding elements of rock, folk, country, and even the blue into skillfully crafted pieces topped with mature and sultry vocals in the vein of country great Neko Case (minus the twang) or folk singer Dar Williams. Still, Witt’s voice is her own and her style distinctly unique..neither formulaic nor contrived. And it’s this unique style that allows her to imbue what may have been otherwise cringe-inducing love songs such as "So Called Bliss" and "Say So" with a real meaning that many aspiring singer-songwriters can only hope to accomplish. It’s worth catching her play at one of her favorite spots to see for yourself; This woman deserves a following."
Record Label: currently looking!
Type of Label: None