Description
TRACK LISTING:
1. If this is Paradise 3:13 2. Burning Blues 4:39 3. Tonight You’re Home 4:06 4. Way that I Feel 5:02 5. Possession 3:30 6. Meant to Be 4:10 7. Silent Receiver 3:24 8. Smoking 2:35 9. La Tina 3:12 10. The Chainsaw Song 2:52 11. Wheels 3:00 12. Elements 4:37 13. Let that Go 3:32
CATHY GIBSON MUSIC BIO 2007
Sydney-based Singer songwriter guitarist with mostly acoustic music influences including: classical guitar, Australian and American folk and blues revival, singer songwriters Donovan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, Appalacian/ old time music, the Beatles, Joan Baez, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn
2010 Launch of Self-Titled CD on 9 November 2009 Northern NSW tour – preview CD Launch in cafes at Bellingen & Bangalow; and at Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle 2008 Gigs – Rozelle, Lane Cove & Kirribilli markets and various cafes 2007 Went OS- Ireland, Scotland, England etc; Spain, France – Informal music sessions 2006 Played various markets etc 2005 Performed 1st Mungindi Music Festival;formed the duo “Girl on a Swing” with Keith Young 2004 Recorded CD “Way that I feel” in collaboration with Gary Brown, dobro player 2000 Finalist in the Australian National Songwriter awards. 1999 CD “Not A Desperado” launched at the Starfish Jazz Club and received airplay on Radio National, ABC 702 and many community radio stations.
Selected Festivals & events: Mungindi Music Festival; 2005, Illawarra Folk Fest. at Jamboroo; Coastfest Gosford; Umina Beach Folk Festival; Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival; Andrew Claremont’s Supper Club, Tamworth; Sydney Women’s, Bondi Fringe, & Bondi to Bronte Sea Theatre Festivals; Carers NSW Week 2002; International Women’s Week 2003.
Selected Workshops: 2005 St Alban’s Folk Festival Song writing Workshop 2003-2004 Song writing workshop at Dorrigo Folk Festival 2001 Tutor in Song writing courses at Eastern Suburbs Community College
Selected Supports: • Starfish Jazz Club [Jonathan Zwartz, Hamish Stuart, Tim Rollinson & Michael Bartholomei • Jigzag • Ian Date & George Washingmachine • Liz Frenchham • Monsieur Camembert • Penelope Swales, at the Three Weeds.
Reviews: Ross Clelland, Drum Media Danny Murphy, Revolver Cathy Gibson – Self Titled
CD Review by John Williams
Cathy Gibson is a Sydney-based performer with a long history on the folk scene. She has been a finalist in the National Songwriter Awards and has appeared at many folk festivals over the years. In this CD, Cathy has written all the lyrics and composed the music. In addition, she has done the artwork for the cover of the CD. Talk about multi-tasking! Cathy has a very pleasant voice which she uses to great effect throughout the CD and she is accompanied by Alana Gibson and Ella Stiles as backing vocalists on various tracks. Her musicians include Keith Young on concertina, bouzouki and mandolin, Gary Bowen on dobro, Paul Berton on a variety of guitars, Jonathan Zwartz on double bass and Hamish Stuart on drums. ‘If This Is Paradise’ is a catchy opening track which draws you into the CD. It is a quirky song linking a laundromat with paradise! ‘Burning Blues’ is another catchy tune linking summer, drought, cricket and the Bali bombings. ‘Tonight You’re Home’ is a song about homelessness and sleeping rough. I found it thought-provoking as it conjured up images which are hard to ignore. ‘Way That I Feel’ is a melancholy song, it’s raining outside and negotiating the battle of relationships might just be too hard. ‘Possession’ is another relationship song with thoughtful lyrics. ‘Meant To Be’ is another well-written song about the pain of separation and the desire to be together. I enjoyed it. ‘Silent Receiver’ deals with the separation of a long-distance relationship and waiting for ‘that’ telephone call. ‘Smoking’ is a track with a self-evident message. ‘La Tina’ was an interesting track where Cathy uses her voice to great effect without using lyrics. I found it intriguing. ‘The Chainsaw Song’ was about two men who went chain-sawing and never returned. The only evidence of their passing was a lyrebird mimicking the sound of a chainsaw. ‘Wheels’ is about leaving for wider experiences. It touched a chord with me as it is just what my own daughter did many months ago and I have enjoyed watching her personal growth and experience all that this wonderful world has to offer. ‘Elements’ is another song about love and cleverly combines the elements in the lyrics. I enjoyed this track. The final track, ‘Let That Go’ is another fine track about having the strength to leave a relationship that isn’t working. I really liked the backing, especially the guitar work, throughout the CD which enhanced Cathy’s voice at all times. It was one of the main reasons I enjoyed this work. The production values were high which made for a very pleasing listening experience. Recommended.
