This site too slow? Try a mirror  --  Subscribe to the Guide  --  Find artist:
the Ectophiles' Guide: * Guide Home* What's new* * Alphabetical* Genre* Commentator* Location* Random artist* Search* Contact the editors* Credits

Rupert Wates


Country of origin:

From England, currently in the U.S.

Type of music generally:

Contemporary folk/folk/rock, sometimes with jazz or Americana flavours

Status:

Most recent release, Colorado Mornings (2016)

See also:

Rupert Wates' site

CDBaby's page for Rupert Wates

Comparisons:

Richard Shindell, Bruce Cockburn

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Wates makes modern folk with smart and edgy lyrics. (starnell@yahoo.com)

Recommended first album:

Any—he's consistently good

Recordings:


Sweet or Bitter Wine

Release info:

2005—Bite Music

Availability:

See Rupert Wates' site

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Comments:

Robust folk music with lyrics that are sometimes dark, sometimes light but always clever and insightful. The title song is especially great. (starnell@yahoo.com)

Dear Life

Release info:

2008—Bite Music—BR12108

Availability:

See Rupert Wates' site

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Rupert Wates—vocals, acoustic guitar, piano

Guest artists:

Michael Manning—bass
Chris Howard—percussion
Stacey Lorin—backing vocals
Grant Dermody—blues harp (5)
Megan Peters—backing vocals (5)
John Morton—electric guitar (8)
Darin Watkns—drums (8)

Produced by:

Rupert Wates with Evan Brubaker

Comments:

Robust folk music with lyrics that are sometimes dark, sometimes light but always clever and insightful. The title song is especially great. (starnell@yahoo.com)

Joe's Cafe (2010)

Release info:

2010—Bite Music—BR12109

Availability:

See Rupert Wates' site

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Rupert Wates—guitar, vocals

Guest artists:

Derol Anger—violin
Michael Manring—bass
Bartosz Hadala—piano
Chris Howard—percussion
Gretchen Witt—guest vocals
Ashley Gonzalez—guest vocals

Produced by:

Rupert Wates

Comments:

The new record by Rupert Wates has a neat, sometimes jazzy sound and some inspired songs. The ambitious album shares stories of ordinary people in the U.S in the last century. He runs the gamut from comedians to serial killers and never wavers once. The vocals are handled by Wates himself and guest singers. Gretchen Witt acquits herself well on "Sally's Farm" and Ashley Gonzalez is superb on "The skies of South Dakota." It's a brilliant album all told. (starnell@yahoo.com)

At The Losers' Motel

Release info:

2011—Bite Music—BR12110

Availability:

See Rupert Wates' site

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Rupert Wates—acoustic guitar, vocals

Guest artists:

Mike Holstein—double bass
Valeria Miller—backing vocals
Byron Hedgepeth—percussion
Amy Lovinger—violin
Franklin Keel—cello
Bartosz Hadal—string arrangements

Produced by:

Rupert Wates

Comments:

Another solid effort from the ever-reliable Wates. He's written some truly affecting song and gets great support from the band. "Fools' Parade" is a strong song with a powerful lyric about the follies of humanity. "Why I had to leave" is a reflective song of love lost that gets a lovely treatment. "Be near me" is a warm , comforting song that shows Wates at his best. He's made another fine album. (starnell@yahoo.com)


Thanks to starnell@yahoo.com for work on this entry.

Why the ads?
the Ectophiles' Guide: * Guide Home* What's new* * Alphabetical* Genre* Commentator* Location* Random artist* Search* Contact the editors* Credits

DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2017-06-11 19:46:17.
Please request permission if you wish to
reproduce any of the comments in the
Ectophiles' Guide in any context.

The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music is copyright © 1996-2004 by the editors.
Individual comments are copyright © by their authors.
Web site design and programming copyright © 1998-2004 usrbin design + programming.
All rights reserved.