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Back in December of 2016, Catherine McGrath released her first EP called ‘One.’ The ingredients were simple: Four brilliant and refreshing tracks with nothing more than basic guitars and vocals. Less was more. Consider it poetry.
About six months later, her label Warner Music released another four song EP called ‘Starting from Now.’ The production was upped to add banjo, electric guitars, drums and bass. The budget was a little bigger so the tracks were more elaborate. So far so good.
Another 13 months pass but with big benefits. Catherine finally drops a full sized 13 track release aptly called ‘Talk of This Town.’ It truly was. Now the production almost drowned her work in some places. I guess it was primed for heavy airplay. Why combine a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll band mix with a singer-songwriter heartfelt performance? It’s the star-making machinery again. Music is a business, after all.
Somebody must have had the same thoughts as I did. Just three months later, most of the songs from ‘Talk of This Town’ became an unplugged masterpiece ‘The Acoustics.’ Suddenly the multi-layered complexity was gone. No double guitar breaks and serious drum thumps to bury Catherine’s voice and lyrics. Just the real thing. We came to hear her songs with just enough instrumentation to add a blue sky and some fluffy clouds. Nothing more. The mix was now appropriate to the material. I wore these tracks out. This is how you capture a soul. Perfect.
‘The Acoustics’ is filled with delights. It touches on just about everything the heart of a 20-year-old lass from Northern Ireland can hold. Here is simplicity at its finest. If you had a perfectly baked butter croissant, would you layer it with peanut butter and jelly? Of course not! Give it to me basic and simple. Get it right and it sounds like this. Sit back and listen before an open fireplace. Savour each track like your favourite wine. So fine.
I gladly admit all nine tracks are tasty. Close your eyes and concentrate on the lyrics and images she creates in ‘Lost in the Middle.’ You’ll see…it’s true: Headphones are all you need to escape reality on a long train ride. Take the time to recall and dream about a night to remember. Every song is another story from her heart told like a secret to a best friend. Thank you for these magical performances. I’ll cherish them.
Want to know about what happened at the Coldplay concert? All the anxiety that hits when you misjudge your crush? Loves that just don’t come together? How does she capture her world of life’s experiences and adventures like jars of lightning bugs for all of us to enjoy? Tune in if you want to find out!
The production is just as masterful. Listen carefully to the mix of the playful song ‘(You should probably kiss me) Just in Case.’ Catherine’s voice is double tracked in the chorus where one voice is singing and the other is nearly talking in the same meter. You get a fascinating tentative feel that meets the lyrics ever so perfectly. Can you tell I love this record?
Only one song has been leaked out since: Another a soft, lamenting acoustical blues called ‘Grace.’ I was wondering about this long inexplicable drought of new material after so much momentum was gained during the past three years. I don’t know what Warner Music was thinking but Catherine McGrath is now a free agent. Another label will be the victor of quite a prize someday soon. In the meantime, enjoy ‘The Acoustics.’ Money back guarantee!
karlzuk
Catherine McGrath was amazing.
She has a really good vocal voice as well as a great stage presence.
There were no awkward moments in between songs as she was able to fill these with her own personal experiences of the song. I would definitely go back and see her again.
I have no doubt her Career will flourish over the next few years.
pauline-murray
