NORTHUMBRIAN MUSIC
NIGHTS
What they're saying about
Cathryn Craig &
Brian Willoughby
In addition to this review of a recent gig at the Edinburgh Folk Club, as printed in The Edinburgh Herald, we can easily provide a potted biographical sketch of each performer.
Cathryn Craig
As a Nashville session singer, Cathryn Craig has worked with and recorded for astists as diverse as Mickey Newbury, Bobby Bare, Emmylou Harris, Shel Silverstein, Bob Gibson, Jorma Kaukonen and Tom Paxton. Her early stage experience was with Bill Medley where she sang Bobby Hatfield's 'Righteous Brothers' duo parts. She can be heard singing 'Spring always comes' on the soundtrack of Peter Bogdanovich's movie 'A Thing called Love' (River Phoenix's last film). She has appeared on television with her friend, the legendary Chet Atkins. She has been hired for sessions and performances as far away as Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Zurich, Amsterdam, Paris and Moscow. She has written songs with legendary writers such as Tommy Boyce, Dean Dillon, Richard Dobson, Sandy Knox and Shel Silverstein.
Cathryn was signed to Goldrush Records in Perth, Scotland and began her own recording career. Her highly acclaimed debut album 'Porch Songs' (GOLDCD001) was actually recorded live on Cathryn's back porch, and is considered a classic in acoustic/roots circles. Her second album 'Cathryn Craig' (GOLDCD002), also recorded live, has gone a long way in developing her reputation as one of the finest acoustic performers and songwriters touring today.
The critical acclaim for her two albums, together with the dynamism of her live concerts, sharing the stage with the likes of John Prine, the late Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Ray Davies, have continued to build her profile.
Currently, Cathryn is included on the recent 'Viva Americana' (BOKA001CD) album, featuring exclusive tracks from the cream of new alternative artists along with The Derailers, Bob Neuwirth, Gretchen Peters, Kate Campbell and Chip Taylor.
She has been co-writing with STRAWB Brian Willoughby and is featured as a vocalist on Brian's debut solo album 'Black & White' (PYOCD001) along with Mary Hopkin. Brian and Cathryn have begun performing together in concert.
Brian Willoughby
Brian Willoughby began his professional career with Mary Hopkin and has recorded and performed internationally with artists such as New World, Joe Brown, Roger Whittaker, Sweet's Brian Connolly and Jim Diamond. He has made numerous session appearances on record, commercials, radio, television and film including Monty Python, The Lonely Planet, Hard News, Jim'll Fix It and Time Bandits.
Best known as the STRAWBS guitarist, Brian is featured on 'Halcyon Days' (A&M540660-2) , 'Greatest Hits Live' (RGFCD015), the double CD 'Ringing down the Years / Don't Say Goodbye' (RGF/WCDCD039), 'The Best of British Folk Rock' (PRFCD36) and 'The King' (with guest Maddy Prior).
Brian is Dave Cousins' partner in an acoustic duo and COUSINS & WILLOUGHBY have recorded two albums, 'Old School Song' (RGFCD004) and 'The Bridge' (RGFCD020). They provide the opening track on the Sandy Denny tribute 'Georgia on our Mind' (DEEPSEACD8001). Brian also played lead guitar on STRAWBS-associated projects, 'High Society' (CYBVP002CD) and THE MONKS' award-winning 'Suspended Animation' (CYBVP001CD).
Brian appears alongside Sharon Shannon, Clive Gregson and Iain Matthews as a guest on Nanci Griffith's forthcoming album 'Other Voices Too' and will accompany her on UK tour dates in the autumn of 1998.
Brian has recently completed the first solo recording of his songs co-written with Mary Hopkin and Nasville writers Cathryn Craig, Michael Snow and Bill Lloyd. The album titel is 'Black & White (PY0CD001) and features Cathryn and Mary on vocals. Cathryn and Brian will be performing together for select dates this year.
Reviews of 'Black & White'
Get Rhythm (November 1998)
Strawbs guitarist Brian Willoughby has spent the past few years working hard, trying his hand as a songwriter, both here and in Nashville. That is not to mention working on recent albums by Nanci Griffith, Sharon Shannon and Iain Matthews. In the company of Bill Lloyd, of Foster and Lloyd, Michael Snow and his current touring partner Cathryn Craig he's emerged as a writer of credit. Songs of love, lost and won he can also knock out evocative tales from the pavement like 'Hard Luck Cafe' and the beautiful 'Alice's Song' and better still the wistful guile of 'He Lies'. Cathryn Craig nails down the hatches on 'The feel of letting go' and Mary Hopkin reels back the years on 'Love belongs right here'. The only additional musician used is his father Walter 'Flaco' Willoughby on accordion on the sweet as magnolia cut . . .
Country Music International (December 1998)
Althouth the debut solo release from session guitarist and sometime Strawb, Brian Willoughby, Black & White is in fact something of a transatlantic collaboration -- primarily with Cathryn Craig, but also with Nashville-based producer Michael Snow and Bill Lloyd (Foster & Lloyd).
The 12-song collection is pretty laid back, comprising little more than Willoughby's acoustic guitar and Craig's plaintive voice -- although Mary Hopkin handles vocals on Love belongs right here -- but Willoughby has done well to look to Nashville for his collaborators. That American influence shines through on the more narrative songs, such as the title track Black & White, a story of racially-motivated homicide, and Hard Luck Cafe, a tale of bluecollar dreams and aspirations. The music is at times folky, at times country, but always classy. While Black & White is an accomplished and impressive album in its own right, for any Cathryn Craig fans it is an added treat, ably filling the gap before her next release.
