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Grace Pool

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Grace Pool, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 20252 sources
Grace Pool
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1980s
FounderElly Brown, Bob Riley
Headquarters
Lincolndale, New York
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums

Grace Pool was an American alternative rock ensemble primarily driven by singer-songwriter Elly Brown alongside musician and producer Bob Riley. Emerging in the 1980s, the duo released two studio albums under the Reprise Records label. Their musical style blended elements of indie folk, dream pop, and new wave music, characterized by layered vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar work, drum rhythms, synthesizer textures, and electronic percussion.

1980–1987: Origins

Elly Brown and Bob Riley initially connected while performing together in South, a band that included guitarist Lonnie Mack. Brown had established a presence in the New York club circuit through various bands and was recruited for her vocal harmonizing skills. Riley was already a respected session musician. As they rehearsed with South, they began collaborating on songwriting. Following the passing of South’s founder, the group disbanded, prompting Brown and Riley to explore separate musical ventures while maintaining a close creative partnership.
Three years later, now married, they made their home in Lincolndale, New York. Riley constructed a home studio where he developed sequenced drum patterns and guitar layers as Brown provided vocals. The rural environment heavily influenced much of the material that would define Grace Pool.[1] For live performances, additional musicians were brought in, including keyboardist Clifford Carter and drummer Frank Vilardi. Early rehearsals also featured guitarist Shawn Colvin, who departed to pursue a solo career and was succeeded by Terry Radigan. Grace Pool’s live debut occurred at CBGB in New York City.[2] In 1987, after a demo tape reached a Warner Bros. executive through Brown’s industry connections, the band secured a deal with Reprise Records.[2]

1988–1989: Grace Pool

Their first album, titled Grace Pool, was released in August 1988. The record was produced by Steve Nye, noted for his atmospheric contributions to projects by Bryan Ferry and David Sylvian. Trouser Press praised the album for its "subtle synthesizer ambiance and understated grandeur," highlighting its memorable melodies, rich harmonies, and sophisticated arrangements. The Washington Post complimented Brown’s "crisp, pure vocals," "lush" harmonies, and the group’s ethereal minor-key tunes. The album also featured a rendition of The Blue Nile’s "Stay," a track that immediately resonated with Brown.
In 1988, The New York Times recognized Grace Pool alongside artists such as k.d. lang and Joan Jett as part of a thoughtful and self-directed wave of female musicians emerging at that time. Additionally, Rolling Stone introduced them to its audience through its New Faces section. The debut album received a nomination for Best Debut Album at the New York Music Awards.

1990–1991: Where We Live

The band’s sophomore release, Where We Live, showcased shifts in both personnel and musical approach. Brown described this collection as "reflecting themes of struggle and confusion about the world." Production duties were taken over by Bob Riley, an experienced New York studio musician with a keen interest in music technology, who delivered what the Chicago Tribune called a "sleek and refined sound." Music critic Stewart Mason observed that the album adopted a "more accessible rock orientation" with less abstraction and haunting minor-key melodies.
New additions to the lineup included lead guitarist Beki Brindle replacing Terry Radigan and keyboardist Andy Burton on Hammond organ.
As their industry experience deepened, Brown remarked on their growing disenchantment: "we were losing the stars in our eyes." Challenges arose from working with a major West Coast label, and following the modest commercial reception of Where We Live compared to their debut effort, Grace Pool was dropped by Warner Bros. The band ultimately dissolved in 1992.

Activities after Grace Pool, recordings, and partnerships

Following the disbandment of Grace Pool, the members continued their involvement in the music industry. Brown and Riley managed to juggle family responsibilities alongside new artistic endeavors. Elly Brown launched a solo project titled Wax the Roses in 2004. Bob Riley engaged in collaborations with various musicians, notably Mary Fahl from October Project. Guitarists Terry Radigan and Beki Brindle each fronted their own bands and produced individual albums. Drummer Frank Vilardi contributed his talents to artists such as Rosanne Cash, Suzanne Vega, and Rod Stewart, and is currently performing with The Bacon Brothers. Keyboardist Clifford Carter worked extensively with James Taylor and released his own album, Walkin' Into the Sun, in 1993. Andy Burton, another keyboardist, is presently a member of The Schramms.

Discography

  • Grace Pool (1988)
  1. "Awake With the Rain"
  2. "Stay"
  3. "Fields"
  4. "Radio Religion"
  5. "Under the Wrong Wing"
  6. "Still the Spirit"
  7. "Green Glass House"
  8. "Out of the Wild"
  9. "1000 Nights"
  • Where We Live (1990)
  1. "Me Without You"
  2. "Once a Forest"
  3. "Wedding on the Lawn"
  4. "Paint the Ending"
  5. "August Freeze"
  6. "I Can't See You"
  7. "Dream and Distance"
  8. "Springs Desire"
  9. "Swing Hard"
  10. "Sweet Law of Repetition"

Band members

  • Elly Brown – vocals
  • Bob Riley – guitars, programming, synthesizers
  • Terry Radigan – lead guitar
  • Clifford Carter – keyboards
  • Frank Vilardi – drums
  • Beki Brindle – lead guitar
  • Andy Burton – keyboards
  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Pryor
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Muse
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