My introduction came in 2020, during the UK lockdown, with In Memory Of My Feelings, a collaboration with Bernard Butler which had been recorded prior to her debut album as The Anchoress and was belatedly released on Pete Paphides' wonderful Needle Mythology label. In 2021, Catherine's second album as The Anchoress, The Art Of Losing, proved to be another highlight of the year and from there on I was completely hooked.
Much has been written about Catherine's approach to creating music and the lyrical content of her songs and I can't really add to or enhance that. Simply put, the songs resonate on so many levels, beautifully layered soundscapes, rich vocals and lyrics that do not shy away from grief, loss, abuse and prejudice. Yet, there's also something uplifting, cathartic and at times euphoric in these songs, which reward repeated listening and reading.
An early release as Catherine A.D. collected a number of cover versions by a diverse range of artists from Fleetwood Mac to Bon Iver to The Crystals. Catherine's continued to revisit her inspirations with a series of limited release cover versions in the past couple of years to tie in with Bandcamp Friday, many of which have appeared in Dubhed selections. Four of these have been collected as Versions/EP 1, featuring Catherine's interpretations of Depeche Mode, Halsey, Nico and Nirvana. The latest blink-and-you'll-miss-it cover is an acoustic rework of Friday I'm In Love by The Cure, following a previous synth-heavy version released in June, and available for a few more days on Bandcamp.
So perhaps unsurprisingly today's selection is split into two sides. The first covers Catherine's own songs, including collaborations with Bernard Butler, Paul Draper and James Dean Bradfield. The flip side is all covers, avoiding ones which I've posted previously...I think! It's hard to keep track sometimes.
Catherine had to withdraw from a planned support slot with Manic Street Preachers and a solo tour last year for health reasons, and the latter is currently rescheduled for spring 2023. I'm planning to be there.
In the meantime, as well as shopping at The Anchoress' Bandcamp page, I'd also recommend a visit to her YouTube page, which is a treasure trove of live performances, videos and remixes.
Side One
1) All Farewells Should Be Sudden: The Anchoress (2021)
2) P.S. Fuck You: The Anchoress (2016)
3) Judas: Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler (2020)
4) You And Only You: The Anchoress ft. Paul Draper (2016)
5) The Exchange: The Anchoress ft. James Dean Bradfield (2021)
6) The Patron Saint Of The Lost Cause (Album Version): Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler (2020)
Side Two
1) The Book Of Love (Cover of The Magnetic Fields): Catherine A.D. (2010)
2) Bizarre Love Triangle (Cover of New Order): The Anchoress (2022)
3) Paris (Cover of Friendly Fires): Catherine A.D. (2012)
4) Pennyroyal Tea (Cover of Nirvana): The Anchoress (2022)
5) Live To Tell (Cover of Madonna): Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler (2020)
6) I Have Never Loved Someone (Cover of My Brightest Diamond): Catherine A.D. (2012)
2010: Carry Your Heart EP: B1
2012: Reprise: The Covers Collection: B1, B3, B6
2016: Confessions Of A Romance Novelist: A2, A4
2020: In Memory Of My Feelings: A3, A6, B5
2021: The Art Of Losing: A1, A5
2022: Bizarre Love Triangle EP: B2
2022: Pennyroyal Tea EP: B4
PS: Fuck You is a great title for a song.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? Aside from the fact that musically they sat well together, I thought the first two song titles for the selection were an obvious pairing.
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