Annie Keating

"Keating is a wise mix of Lucinda Williams songwriting, Gillian Welch guitar and a vocal all her own...one of those singer-songwriters that lets her music do the talking. Her style invokes a cross between Willie Nelson and John Prine, and you don't get any better than that.”

-- The Village Voice

- The Village Voice

“While some compare her to other female icons - Emmylou, Lucinda and the like -- the fact is, Keating is in a category all her own, a true talent who doesn’t deserve to be compared to anyone other than those on the highest plateaus. Intimate and yet endearing, her songs strike with an immediacy that can’t be denied and an appeal that’s readily apparent -- each a demonstration of how a gilded vocal and a soaring melody can successfully intertwine. Keating can’t be recommended more highly and with this superb set, she’s at the very top of her game." - No Depression

“An opportunity not to be missed, ‘Make Believing’ is an impressive album from Annie Keating, overflowing with poignant and revealing, finely-written songs. It’s tenderly meaningful folk Americana exactly as it should be heard ... ‘Make Believing’ will become my permanent default-replay for some time to come.” -

"Country-rock, with a renegade bite" -- L.A. Weekly - LA Weekly

“HONEST, REFRESHING ... Gritty-yet-pretty tunes ...” - New York Post

“Keating navigates the Americana environs also inhabited by Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Lucinda Williams, and in doing so, proves she’s every bit their equal." - Lee Zimmerman

“Annie Keating is one to watch. Fine songwriting for the 21st century.” - BBC Radio

"She writes beautiful stories. She's got a great future. "

-- Ray Randall, AMERICANA ROOTS REVIEW - Americana Roots Review

New-York based singer/songwriter Annie Keating has picked up a great reputation over the course of her 3 previous albums, but here on ‘Water Tower View’ it all comes into focus and together on an album that really stands out as a superb example of modern American contemporary folk.

Her approach has much in common with artists such as Nels Andrews and Meg Hutchinson – where characters, places and everyday urban situations, meet open musical arrangements full of space and subtlety. It’s an identifiably American approach that veers between gentle Americana influences, dreamy ‘widescreen’ soundscapes, and occasionally into harder and edgier arrangements. This variety gives the album a great flow as the 11 songs seamlessly link but also have enough diversity in styles to sustain the listeners’ interest.

It’s also a beautifully produced album, with each song thoughtfully arranged and performed by the excellent band that includes Bo Ramsey, Jason Mercer and Chris Benelli amongst the musicians providing the backing of various guitars, bass and percussion. While the band arrangements may look simple on paper, there’s some real magic and subtlety here.
There are some really strong songs here, blue-collar values and imagery, travelogues, character studies and tales of love gone sour are all themes across the disc, but her narrative skill really help lift her above many of her contemporary artists. The album is bookended by two excellent songs that sum her style up perfectly – the opening title track is a beautifully arranged, light and wistful track, and the closing track ‘Scene II’ is an altogether darker affair with a compelling narrative.
- Fish Records

Damn I love this ladies voice it has a magical earthy richness that transfixes me, but let that not be the only reason to get yourself a copy of Annie Keating‘s latest album Water Tower View for the talented Keating can pen a solid song too, superior quality American roots music that resonates and creates landscapes in the mind, don’t miss out get yourself a copy of this album.

Keating has gathered a host of talented players together for her fourth album combining a great mix of instrumentation the albums includes contributions from Trina Hamlin and Bo Ramsey, the result is her strongest album to date and I highly recommend it…………but d?on’t just take my word on it Keating has being championed by Bob Harris and appeared on his Thursday night show in 2008, there’s not a dud or filler track to be found on this album – here’s the first and the last track, the in-between is just as good. - Beat Surrender (Elbows)

Finally we have Annie Keating with Water Tower View. Keating comes from a folkier side with an earthy delivery, her vocals husky, at times sounding like a female John Prine, at others reminiscent of the frailty of Melanie Safka. Her subjects are the usual folk topics, tales of losers for the most part and one might wonder what more there is to say about the underbelly of American life. However Keating has the ability to take a well worn scenario such as gambling in On the Loose and breathe new life into it.
With some very sympathetic backing from a variety of players all of these songs beg to be heard but the standout songs are The Borderline with a very restrained backdrop and Keating’s vulnerability well to the fore and the closing Scene I/Scene II which, as the title suggests, is like an aural movie. Intimate and engaging, an excellent recording. - Blabber n'Smoke (UK)

Damn I love this ladies voice it has a magical earthy richness that transfixes me, but let that not be the only reason to get yourself a copy of Annie Keating‘s latest album Water Tower View for the talented Keating can pen a solid song too, superior quality American roots music that resonates and creates landscapes in the mind, don’t miss out get yourself a copy of this album.

Keating has gathered a host of talented players together for her fourth album combining a great mix of instrumentation the albums includes contributions from Trina Hamlin and Bo Ramsey, the result is her strongest album to date and I highly recommend it…………but d?on’t just take my word on it Keating has being championed by Bob Harris and appeared on his Thursday night show in 2008, there’s not a dud or filler track to be found on this album – here’s the first and the last track, the in-between is just as good. - Beat Surrender

"It's a long, slow country drive down an open highway in a top down convertible made for two. Annie Keating's vocals lift the cool summer breeze on a hot day, bringing in a fresh sound to folk music. Passionate songs made for love, heartbreak and everything in between, Annie Keating's sophomore release, Take the Wheel carries the listener on a gorgeous trip of rich vocals and heartfelt lyrics. She’s somewhere between Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch with similarities from both musicians but Annie is in a class of her own! It's one breathtaking song after another, worthy of a permanent spot in your CD player!" - GoGirlsMusic.com

"Annie Keating is a superb new act on the block, a singer-songwriter of
great worth and one I implore you to check out. Sooner rather than later!
What a wonderful treat this album (BELMONT) is... Man, this lady has to be
one of the most refreshing female acts to come down the pike in a long, long
while." -- MAVERICK MAGAZINE (UK) - Maverick Magazine (UK)

"Keating's varied template ... runs the gamut from tender to tenacious.
Comparisons to Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, and Bonnie Raitt all ring
true, yet what ultimately impresses is the intimacy and emotion etched in
beautiful ballads like" For The Taking" and "Flowers Bloom," and the
riveting authority residing in bluesy, backwoods rockers "On The Road By 10"
and "Drive." Bottleneck guitar, mandolin, and a supple shuffle maintain the mood, but Keating's obvious assurance sets the standard." --PERFORMING SONGWRITER - Performing Songwriter

"We only play the best on AmericanaOK so you'll understand why Annie Keating
and her new album BELMONT was our CD of the Month... We are inundated with CDs but every so often one emerges from the pile that just can't be ignored. BELMONT is on of those CDs. We recommend you buy it, play it and play it again." -AmericanaOK (UK) - AmericanaOK (UK leading radio)

"Belmont is a first-grade Americana affair, no doubt about it . for those
who are fascinated by lazy folk rock moods, in the vein of Mary Gauthier and
Lucinda Williams, Keating is a new name joining that solid company of female songwriters who carry the torch of roots music tradition." -RootsHighway
(ITALY) - Roots Highway

"The follow-up to 2004's The High Dive has Keating sounding like a combo of Kathleen Edwards, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch... Keating has a knack for writing clever, thoughtful songs.. If only all albums came off this well." - PopMatters

“Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Annie Keating is building the reputation her talent deserves."   - The Telegraph (UK)

“There’s not a song here that isn't an absolute gem.  Keating’s talent and ability are clearly profound.”   - Lee Zimmerman

"There’s something to its mix of dust, salt and sugar that is disarmingly engaging. Grab the album by the handlebars and indulge in some musical wheelies."   - FRUK (Folk and Roots Music)

"Powerful singer-songwriter ... Deep and Provocative Songs." - Maverick

"She writes beautiful stories."  - Americana Roots Review

"A strong and consistent collection ... her performances radiate warmth and honesty." - The Irish Times

"She’s not got a conventionally attractive voice, but there’s something to its mix of dust, salt and sugar that is disarmingly engaging. Grab the album by the handlebars and indulge in some musical wheelies. Trick Star is Annie Keating’s seventh album and a swift follow-up to last year’s Make Believing, this marks no major departures from the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter’s established brand of folk-Americana, but then as the adage goes, why fix what ain’t broken." - Folk Radio UK

This is the seventh album by Brooklyn-based Americana singer-songwriter Annie Keating. Once again it is a strong and consistent collection, nestling happily into that soft focus urban angst that comes of living, loving and losing. Mary Chapin Carpenter has travelled the same road, albeit with a shade more intensity and impact. ...
Keating’s performances radiate warmth and honesty." - The Irish Times

Powerful singer-songwriter fare with uplifting anthems and downbeat insights. There’s certainly a spontaneity to the performances and an intimacy to Keating’s vocals that bring to mind a sweeter-voiced Lucinda Williams... each song brings something – an insight, a melody, a vulnerable voice, a truth – that makes the songs hit home, and hit home hard. - Maverick Magazine

4 stars (out of 5) Annie’s voice is quirky and interesting and lends an edge to the musical arrangements while emphasising the slightly offbeat nature of some of the songs. “Trick Star” opens with a positive message and hammers it home with the heavenly choir of the album’s final song; you can’t help but smile at the audacity of it. - Music Riot UK

The mysterious sounding voice of Annie Keating is the driving force behind the songs of love, pain, pleasure and yearn for freedom. - Keys and Chords

“A budding Americana star … Keating has produce another suite of tunes which shows that talent and vision will find a way.” - R2 Magazine

"...like Lucinda Williams without the angst, troubadour Annie Keating will enchant anyone but a deaf shoe-gazer." - Acoustic Magazine UK