Catie Curtis’ well-deserved reputation as one of best
singer-songwriters around has followed her through nine critically acclaimed
recordings.
With her tenth project, Hello Stranger, released August 2009 she
rewards her loyal fan base and draws in new listeners with a record that
puts a fresh spin on some of her best-loved songs as well as a few
handpicked classics. With the help of her Nashville-based record label,
Compass Records, Catie selected some of Nashville’s best musicians to
feature on fiddle, mandolin, banjo and acoustic guitar.
The Curtis classic "100 Miles" opens the CD and shines in the hands of
Stuart Duncan on fiddle and Alison Brown on banjo, while Richard Thompson’s
classic "Walking on a Wire" receives a touching interpretation as Curtis’
voice soars and breaks into the high soprano reaches of her range.
"Dad's Yard,"
one of Curtis’ most requested songs, is beautifully rendered with the help
of Darrell Scott on backing vocals. Two songs from Curtis’ 2004 Dreaming
in Romance Languages close out the CD. “Deliver Me” features sparkling
banjo and “Saint Lucy’s” dreamlike imagery is nicely drawn out by the
country string band treatment. Other covers include the country classic
"Hello Stranger" (performed with Mary Gauthier) and Cat Steven’s “Tuesday’s
Dead.”
From the
first time Catie picked up a guitar — an instrument given to her gratis by a
neighbor whose only request was that she learn how to play — the native of
rural southern Maine has used music as a sort of sonic superglue to bring
people together. She brought that to the fore on her charming 1995 debut
Truth From Lies, a disc on which she tangled with heartache. She ramped
it up further on her 1997 follow-up, which was named Album of the Year at
the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards.
With her intoxicating brand of folk pop music, smart and enduring lyrics and
engaging personality, Curtis has created a dedicated following that has
grown steadily over the course of her 16-year career. With 10 albums and
recognition that includes a 2006 International Songwriting Competition Grand
Prize, Curtis has proven that she’s the real deal: a musician with the kind
of raw talent and artistic maturity that makes her a force to be reckoned
with … albeit a sweet one. :::
Opening for Catie is guest artist
Gregory Douglass.
Thu Feb 25 | 8 pm
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids
$17 + fee advance | $21 door Get tickets Click here for a downloadable flyer (PDF) Go to
Catie's Web site Back to calendar Front page
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