What does it sound like?:
I loved Riley’s last elbun, and so when I was in his company first hand at the recent Maverick Festival in the heart of swinging downtown Easton I made sure that I picked up his recent release The Light, The Beautiful Liar on the vinyl that so many of the kids these days are professing is the future of sound reproduction. That and because I’d have to dig out a CD player from the cupboard under the stairs if I wanted to listen to it on polycarbonate plastic substrate.
Much as I anticipated, it’s another stellar collection of beautifully crafted songs performed by a wonderfully sympathetic supporting cast including delicately picked acoustic guitars, tastefully restrained drums, a bass player who turns up in all the right places, and perfectly pitched – in all senses – vocal harmonies (as one of my imaginary internet friends pointed out regarding a recent release by a major figure “An octave is not a harmony…”).
It suits a balmy Sunday afternoon as much as it does the wee small hours, in the same way that Jackson Browne’s Asylum years, Steve Forbert’s early work or even – yes – Gerry Rafferty’s more reflective moments do. An old-fashioned comfort blanket of a record, every home should have one.
What does it all *mean*?
There’s still a place in this world for a songwriter with an acoustic guitar,
Goes well with…
Low-lit rooms, crackling fireplaces, malt whisky and the sound of cicadas in the night time.
Release Date:
Out Now
Might suit people who like…
Asylum Records.
An earlier song of his, this is splendid.
Tis indeed splendid – a touch of the Al Stewarts about it. Me likey …
That sounds pretty good.
Do you know of a UK retailer you can point me toward? Neither Amazon, Rough Trade nor Juno stock him.
@carl Not sure if/how the shipping works from Aus, https://rileycatherall.bandcamp.com/album/the-light-the-beautiful-liar but you could always pick one up in person – https://rileycatherall.com/shows
Sadly none of his remaining dates are anywhere near me.
Keep your fingers crossed, @Carl. If this tour has gone well, perhaps Riley will return soon to Europe. And perhaps his albums will be released more widely.
I’m sure it’s a great art to bring a very talented and quite successful artist from Australia or Nashville over to Europe and then create some interest.
One gig can change everything.
Or indeed one mention on the right website.
Get the attention of the hipster denizens of the Afterword and fame is pretty much guaranteed.
Thanks for the tip, Skirky! Always interesting to hear about artists who are making waves down there in Oz and NZ.
There are two of his albums on Spotify @Carl.
I’m having an Australian breakfast today.
Listening to the album made me wonder if Riley has done any live sessions or videos….
Of course has!
Small world! I saw on Facebook that @retroath2 saw Ben De La Cour in Birmingham at the weekend. New name to me, so I gave hin a listen
He’s excellent.
Look who Ben’s playing with in Sheffield on Wednesday! Your man Riley!
https://www.ents24.com/sheffield-events/cafe-9/riley-catherall/7050044
!6 quid for a ticket. That would scarcely buy a beer here.
Now that’s what I call a double bill!
Indeed he is, is Ben. Very Townes Van Zandt-y, with a touch of James McMurtrey.
Very happy with this.
Really quite lovely isn’t it?
He did a wonderful version of These Days at Maverick Festival which was worth the price of admission on its own. Didn’t feel like a cover version.
And would you believe it, @Skirky? Here it is.
With Charm of Finches
And solo
One more from Charm of Finches? My pleasure!
Well I never! Charm of Finches are now on tour in Europe and currently in Sweden! As is Riley!
https://www.charmoffinchesband.com/shows
Playing Stockholm 23 July (sadly I’m away) and also playing the Cambridge Folk Festival and some UK dates.