A Comfortable Man Explained
| A Comfortable Man |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Cathal Smyth |
| Cover: | Cathal Smyth A Comfortable Man 2014 Album Cover.jpg |
| Released: | 7 October 2014 (limited LP release)[1]
11 May 2015[2] |
| Studio: |
|
| Genre: | Pop |
| Length: | 46:10 |
| Label: | Phoenix Rising Recording Co. |
| Producer: |
|
A Comfortable Man is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cathal Smyth. It was produced by Charlie Andrew and Kirsty Mangan. The album was first made available in 2014 as a vinyl LP, limited to 1,000 copies and sold during Smyth's three night performance at Wilton's Music Hall.[3] [1] It was given a full release by the Phoenix Rising Recording Co. in 2015, reaching No. 68 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 10 on the Independent Albums Chart.[4] [5]
Many tracks on A Comfortable Man were written following the breakdown of Smyth's 28-year marriage in 2005. After completing the recording of the album, Smyth departed Madness to embark on his solo career.[6] Speaking of the album to the BBC in 2015, Smyth said: "The cycle of songs started with "Are the Children Happy?" and "Love Song No. 7". It was a very emotional time, it was a very cathartic act writing those songs. I decided I wanted to sit on them for some time to let the dust settle. When you're in Madness and you're writing, it keeps you occupied. It's [was] a very personal project on the sidelines. And I always think timing is essential and when it feels right."[7]
A music video for "You're Not Alone" was released in September 2014.[8] The song was released as a download single in March 2015, followed by "Do You Believe in Love?" and "Are the Children Happy?".[9]
Critical reception
Upon release, Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times stated: "A Comfortable Man is a cathartic exercise. Smyth has taken the opportunity to lay bare his thoughts about personal matters across a sequence of gently wrought, beautifully orchestrated balladic pop songs with rather morose titles." The Times picked A Comfortable Man as their album of the week and commented: "Smyth's simple, honest lyrics and straightforward delivery mean that songs such as "Are the Children Happy?" make a real emotional connection with the listener, while his gift for a pop melody allows for light relief on the upbeat numbers."
Mojo wrote: "...the musical document of his journey is appropriately desolate but altogether rather moving. Essentially it's Smyth playing Victorian parlour piano accompanied by mournful strings and celestial backing vocals." Uncut commented: "The LP springs to life when Smyth ignores the ponderous ballads and hits the pop jugular. "Do You Believe in Love?" and "She's Got the Light" are joyous naif: "Love Song No. 7" tugs effectively at the heart strings, while "Are the Children Happy?" is the most gut wrenchingly poignant divorce song you'll ever hear."[10]
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak
position |
|---|
| UK Independent Albums Breakers Chart[11] | 1 |
| UK Independent Albums Chart | 10 |
| UK Albums Chart | 68 | |
Personnel
Adapted from the album liners notes.[12]
- Musicians
- Cathal Smyth – vocals, backing vocals, piano (1, 8, 9, 12), whistling (4)
- Charlie Andrew – drums (2, 4, 5, 7), percussion (2-5, 7, 10, 11), bass (2), synthesizer (4), backing vocals (4, 6), arrangements
- Kirsty Mangan – violin (1-6, 8, 10-12), piano (3, 4, 6, 7, 10), backing vocals (2, 4, 5, 7, 8), viola (3, 6, 12), dilruba (3), Hammond organ (7), Rhodes (10), arrangements
- Tim Adam-Smith – guitar (2-5, 7, 10, 11), piano (5)
- Adrian Acolatse – double bass (2, 5-8, 10, 11)
- Paul Powell – bass (8, 12)
- Sarah Bateson – ukulele (2, 4, 6, 7, 11), backing vocals (2)
- Robert Cherry – accordion (5, 7, 11)
- Rachael Lander – cello (3, 6, 12)
- Jo Archard – violin (1)
- Benedict Taylor – viola (1)
- Rhian Porter – cello (1)
- Madeleine Kate Hylland – additional vocals (1, 8)
- The Noctis Chamber Choir – choir (1, 3, 6, 8, 11)
- Jordan Florence Hess – children backing vocals (8)
- Sophie Rose Davidson – children backing vocals (8)
- Lily Charlotte Davidson – children backing vocals (8)
- Joe Duddell – choir (1, 3, 6, 8, 11) and strings arrangements (1)
- Production
- Charlie Andrew – production (2-7, 9-11), additional production (8, 12), recording (2-7, 10, 11), strings recording (8)
- Kirsty Mangan – production (2-7, 9-11), additional production (8, 12)
- Paul Powell – production (1), main vocal production and recording (from original demo) (11)
- Felix Quine – production (8, 12), recording (8, 12)
- Alan Winstanley – recording (1), mixing (1-12)
- Cameron Gower Poole – engineer (1)
- Tom Campbell – assistant engineer (1)
- Jason Howes – recording (9)
- Simon Halfon – sleeve design
- Raquel Martinez Royo – cover and colour photography
- Simon Pantling – black and white photography
Notes and References
- Web site: Cathal Smyth* - A Comfortable Man (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2014-10-07 . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Paul Stokes . Listen to Cathal Smyth's A Comfortable Man – plus read his guide to the album — Q Magazine . Qthemusic.com . 2015-05-06 . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Madness Information Service Newsletter 805 . 13 October 2014 . Madness-mis.com . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: CATHAL SMYTH | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company . Officialcharts.com . 2015-05-23 . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company . Officialcharts.com . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Nick Duerden . Chas Smash | After the madness, going solo | Life and style . The Guardian . 4 October 2014 . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Cathal Smyth: On heartbreak and Madness - BBC News . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-05-12 . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Cathal Smyth 'You're Not Alone' Official Video . YouTube . 2015-05-12 . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Nissim . Mayer . Madness star Cathal Smyth unveils new song 'Do You Believe In Love?' . 25 March 2015 . Digitalspy.com . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Madness Information Service Newsletter 837 . 25 May 2015 . Madness-mis.com . 2018-07-31.
- Web site: Official Independent Album Breakers Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company . Officialcharts.com . 2018-07-31.
- A Comfortable Man . . 2015 . Phoenix Rising Recording Co. . TPPRC01CD .
