A harmony-rich valentine to American roots music with '60s influences.

13 MP3 Songs in this album (53:36) !
Related styles: ROCK: Americana, ROCK: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock

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Details:
To paraphrase one of her songs, Buffalo, NY native Cathy Carfagna âcovers a lot of ground.â Perhaps best known as a keyboardist and vocalist for the Outlyers and the Vores âand former member of the Jazzabels â Cathy has finally carved out the time to release a solo CD : âTurn Your Face to the Sun.â

Featuring joyous harmonies, insightful lyrics, and well-crafted arrangements, âTurn Your Face to the Sunâ is firmly grounded in American roots music and 60s pop sensibilities. The release includes 11 self-penned compositions, along with covers of songs by Bob Kozak (the Jumpers) and Buck Quigley (the Steam Donkeys). Cathy plays piano, organ, and various guitar parts (slide, electric, acoustic), while some of Buffaloâs finest musicians also lend a hand; guests include Jim Whitford, Dave Meinzer, Jim Bohm, Rob Lynch, John F. Brady III, Corey Kertzie, Richard Chon, and Patrick Heyden.

The CD represents a new chapter in Cathyâs multifaceted musical life. As a child, Cathy studied classical piano. Everything changed when she discovered the Beatles at the age of 13, thanks to a TV showing of âHelp!âon the movie for a Sunday afternoon. She quickly turned her ear toward 60s British rock, American folk, and blues âlearning to sing and play guitar, various keyboards, accordion, and percussion. During the 1990s, as one half of the Jazzabels (along with Kilissa McGoldrick Cissoko), Cathy wrote and performed rootsy, harmony-laden songs for North American audiences, with jaunts in Mexico and Italy along with way. The duo released two CDs (Café All Day and Skyway) before work and life commitments intervened.

In addition to her current gigs with the Outlyers and the Vores, Cathy was a member of Buffaloâs âfirstâ Cajun/Zydeco band (The French Ticklers) and its only Frank Zappa tribute band (Voice of Cheez). She's also made many guest appearances on recordings by upstate NY artists.

"Turn Your Face to the Sun" was engineered by Jim Calabrese (Soundscape Studios) and Dave Meinzer. It was mastered by Armand John Petri, whose engineering and production credits also include releases by the 10,000 Maniacs, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Sixpence None the Richer.


Fast Facts:

Last Name Rhymes With: lasagna

Early inspiration: Veronica from the Archies

Favorite Beatles album: Revolver

Married To: Buffalo musician and bandmate Dave Meinzer