Cathy Davey
Country of origin:
Ireland
Type of music generally:
Alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, Live at Dublin Unitarian Church (live, 2018)
See also:
Cathy Davey's site
Comparisons:
Vocally Cerys Matthews (of Catatonia), possibly Stina Nordenstam (again, vocally. There's at least one interview where she named Stina's voice as an influence.)
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Definitely worth checking out—she's got some wonderfully great, catchy, and quite original songs. (lotterose @ gmail . com)
Recommended first album:
Tales of Silversleeve blows her debut out of the water, so I'd say it. (lotterose @ gmail . com)
Recordings:
- Something Ilk (2004)
- Tales of Silversleeve (2007)
- The Nameless (2010)
- New Forest (2016)
- Live at Dublin Unitarian Church (live, 2018)
Something Ilk
Release info:
2004—Regal Records
Availability:
Wide in UK
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Cathy Davey—lead vocals, backing vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, drums, keyboard, piano, honk horn, kazoo, claps, kalimba, farisa and pedals
Guest artists:
Simon Jones—backing vocals, bass guitar, guitar, percussion, claps, mini-fan (12)
Justin Pritchard—backing vocals, drums, percussion, claps, blender (12)
Simon Tong—electric guitar, scalextrix (12)
Diana Gutkind—backing vocals, keyboard, piano, claps, remote controlled car (12)
Ben Hillier—backing vocals, percussion, arp synth, shaker and keys, helicopter (12)
Shaun Davey—backing vocals (1)
Guy Garvey—backing vocals (1, 2, 5, 8)
Richard Morris—backing vocals (5)
Ali Davey—percussion (6), backing vocals (14)
Produced by:
Ben Hillier, Cathy Davey (6)
Comments:
A decent debut album—a few forgettable songs, but the rest make up for them. Standouts include "Trade Secret", "Old Man Rain", and the two jazz-tinged tracks here, "Swing It" and "Go Make It". (lotterose @ gmail . com)
Tales of Silversleeve
Release info:
2007
Availability:
Wide in UK
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Cathy Davey—vocals (all), guitar (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11), drums (2, 5, 8), percussion (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10), piano (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9), farfisa (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), moog (5), marimba (4), bass (2, 8, 9), kazoo (11), keys (9, 11)
Guest artists:
Simon Jones—bass (1, 4, 5, 6, 10)
Stephen Guilchrist—drums (1)
Jamie Davis—additional drums (2)
Conor O Brien—backing vocals (2, 9), drums (3, 4, 7), electric guitar (3, 9), acoustic guitar (6, 7, 9)
Tim Smart—trombone (6)
Lindsey Kempley—French horn (6)
Gavin Broom—trumpet (6)
Ben Carrigan—drums (8)
Ross Turner—drums (10)
Geoff Wooton—guitar (10)
Cormac Curren—guitar (10)
Carla Gallagher—backing vocals (10)
Produced by:
Cathy Davey, Liam Howe, Stephen Street (1)
Comments:
One of my top albums of 2007. This is what pop is supposed to be like—confident, but has actual lyrics and personality to go with the hooks. Cathy and often quirky. The first half or so of the album has the more immediate material, and the second half has songs with definite jazz/cabaret influences ('No Heart Today', 'Can't Help It', the 60s-style 'Rubbish Ocean'). They're both excellent, and her vocals have really solidified. I'm still not tired of this even after listening to it near nonstop for the past few weeks. (lotterose @ gmail . com)
Thanks to lotterose @ gmail . com for work on this entry.
