The Shakers
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Ethereal, evocative/eclectic alternative pop/rock
Status:
Band is no longer recording. Last release Songs From Beneath The Lake (1990)
See also:
The Shakers SoundCloud pageLead singer, Rebecca Stout's hip hop/rap project, Baby Stout; other side projects were Cumberland Rose, circa 1993, and Rebecca Stout and the Circus Inebrius (late 1990s)
Comparisons:
Folk-tinged Kate Bush? Less experimental Sandra Lockwood? (Neile)
Covers/own material:
Own, some covers
General comments:
The Shakers were the epitome of an "Ectopop" band. A lot of good pop, a little bit of interesting rock, healthy dashes of cool weirdness, a sense of humor, a good female vocalist. (vickie@enteract.com)
Recommended first album:
Songs From Beneath The Lake
Recordings:
- Living In The Shadow Of A Spirit (vinyl EP, 1988)
- Songs From Beneath The Lake (1990)
Living In The Shadow Of A Spirit EP
Release info:
1988—Carlyle Records—CR-44881 (lp and cassette only)
Availability:
Unknown
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Robert Logue—mandolin
Oscar Rice—acoustic guitar
Rebecca Stout—vocals
Guest artists:
The Reverend Tramp—fiddle
Produced by:
The Shakers
Comments:
An album as powerful and haunting as its subject, the Bell Witch of Adams, Tennessee. Apparently this project was what got the band together. It's a dreamy, evocative portrait of a time and place and events in contemporary terms but still not inappropriate-feeling for an historical subject. Good listening, but not as essential as Songs From Beneath The Lake. (Neile)
Songs From Beneath The Lake
Release info:
1990—Carlyle Records—CR 9190-2
Availability:
Hard to find, but still out there
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Robert Logue—mandolin, percussion
Oscar Rice—acoustic guitar, percussion
Rebecca Stout—vocals
Guest artists:
Tramp—fiddola
Dave Willie—backing vocals
Produced by:
The Shakers
Comments:
Wow is this great. Folky, ecto-y, Rebecca Stout sometimes sounds like a folky Kate Bush—that kind of drama and magic. Love their cover of Led Zepplin's "The Rain Song". Great guitar and mandolin, which reminds me of John Renbourn. It's a delightful disc that I have played a lot over the years. (Neile)
