Dec 02 2008

Cathy Davey Singing For Her Supper

Published by at 12:11 pm under Blog,Music,Music Review

Advantage of having a theatre on your doorstep #236: When it comes to 8 o’clock on a Sunday evening and you’ve been lounging about on the couch watching movies all day, a snap decision to pop out can lead to a great night of music. Last night we got to see Cathy Davey, supported by two great acts – Molly Jenson and The Raglans.

 

Molly JensonWe arrived in the middle of Jenson‘s set and she was doing a great job of warming up the crowd. Engaging in conversation and having a joke with the audience, then delivering some beautiful songs, she really made her mark. Having toured extensively in the US and with an impressive MySpace following, Jenson will surely be huge when her album, Maybe Tomorrow, goes on full release in March 2009.

The RaglansThe Raglans are a three piece band who, as Cathy Davey says, are far too young to be this good. Although they are local lads, Stephen Kelly, Luke Carrig and David Hayes have spend a lot of time touring Ireland and spreading the good music. I look forward to hearing a headline set from these three guys in the near future.  It was nice to see so many people showing up just to hear them. For these people Cathy Davey was merely a bonus. I missed out on getting one of their EP’s (they sold out) but there are a few tracks on their website.

 

Davey describes her Bare Bones Tour as..

…a chance to play intimate venues without being too noisy for sensitive ears. Rearranged songs to better suit candlelight. Three of us playing as many instruments as we can fit in our suitcases and the chance for me to babble nonsense if I so choose as the bigger venues tend to echo unpleasantly, and I do so hate the sound of my own voice.. don’t we all. That’s the Bare Bones Tour. It’s nice. And slightly special.


Cathy DaveyIt is nice and it is very special. Her beautiful voice suits the more stripped down versions of her own tracks. This is how they were meant to be heard. A relaxed crowd at first finally broke out of their shells when she played her hit Reuben. From then on, it was a magical night.

A song I hadn’t heard before, Rowing Your Own Heart Away (I stand to be corrected on the song’s title), really stopped me in my tracks. Beginning with a gorgeous, soothing melody, the latter half of the song broke into haunting and near disturbing harmonies. It was fantastic. Just three voices on stage and it sounded like an evil choir. Brilliant.

Cathy Davey's BandProving her ridiculous amount of talent, she put aside her mandolin and guitar for a while to take to the drums, singing Can’t Lose It from the drum kit. She then nervously introduced The Nameless, but I’m not sure why she was so tentative about it – it was one of her best tracks.

Showing her relaxed professionalism, she had to stop the performance midway through Wild Rum, a song about alcoholics, because she forgot to plug in her mandolin. With ease, she laughed it off and picked right up where she left off. Just one of many lighthearted moments in a fun evening that ran until midnight in the intimate venue.

Cathy DaveyShe closed her set with the 1920’s George Gershwin song, Do It Again. It was beautiful and relevent and closed her set perfectly. She returned to the stage for a crowd pleasing sing-along, Cole Porter‘s You Do Something to Me, where she dragged the very perplexed Raglans back on stage to do backing. With the whole crowd singing along, it was a very satisfying finish to an exciting night.

 

Notes:


Keep an eye on Greystones Theatre’s website to see what acts are coming up next. This week sees Director (plus very special guests) take over on Wednesday night and Brian Kennedy on Thursday, playing tracks from his new album of covers, Interpretations.

 

Cathy Davey's Band

Cathy Davey's Band

Cathy Davey

 

Cathy Davey and The Raglans

 

9 responses so far

9 Responses to “Cathy Davey Singing For Her Supper”

  1. Maryon 02 Dec 2008 at 3:09 pm

    If you want to see her again she’s in Navan this Friday night.

  2. Darrenon 02 Dec 2008 at 3:19 pm

    @Mary You should go. She’s brilliant. I think The Raglans are supporting her again too.

  3. Lottieon 02 Dec 2008 at 3:30 pm

    The raglans were great – really comfortable on stage and engaged well with the audience. Im just sorry they had sold al their albums before I made my move.

  4. Maryon 02 Dec 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Lottie, if we go on Friday I can get you it if you like if they’re selling them there?

  5. Lottieon 02 Dec 2008 at 4:22 pm

    @Mary – I can’t this Friday but hopefully they will be playing somewhere else soon.

  6. raptureponieson 03 Dec 2008 at 9:30 am

    I’ve GIANT HEARTED Cathy Davey for a while.. that song save button? It’s one of Orpees favourit-ohs.

  7. Darrenon 04 Dec 2008 at 9:56 am

    @Lottie I’ll look into getting a copy for you.

    @Mary Cheers – that would be great if you could. 🙂

    @Lottie Read Mary’s comment again.

    @RP You have fine taste!

  8. Derekon 10 Jan 2011 at 2:42 pm

    The Raglans have re-launched Darren with a new line-up and sound and may be doing a gig or two with Cathy shortly. have a look at their launch video on you tube – ‘Raglans at Whelans’ – which is quite impressive

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