A Comfortable Man
2014 studio album by Cathal Smyth
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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.[7][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.[8][9]
- Iguana Studio, London
- Sarm Studios, London
- The Premises Studios, London
- Cathal's studio
| A Comfortable Man | |
|---|---|
| |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | 7 October 2014 (limited LP release)[1] 11 May 2015[2] |
| Studio |
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| Genre | Pop[3] |
| Length | 46:10 |
| Label | Phoenix Rising Recording Co. |
| Producer |
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| Singles from A Comfortable Man | |
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.[10] 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."[11]
A music video for "You're Not Alone" was released in September 2014.[12] The song was released as a download single in March 2015, followed by "Do You Believe in Love?" and "Are the Children Happy?".[5]
Critical reception
Upon release, the album was met with acclaim from critics and audiences alike. 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."[3] 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."[14]
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."[13] 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."[15][16]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Cathal Smyth.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You're Not Alone" | 4:44 |
| 2. | "Shabat She Comes" | 3:55 |
| 3. | "A Comfortable Man" | 3:24 |
| 4. | "Goodbye Planet Earth" | 4:49 |
| 5. | "Do You Believe in Love?" | 3:41 |
| 6. | "Love Song No. 7" | 4:03 |
| 7. | "She's Got the Light" | 3:27 |
| 8. | "A Requiem for Common Sense" | 5:25 |
| 9. | "Are the Children Happy?" | 3:10 |
| 10. | "Love Song No. 9" | 3:47 |
| 11. | "All My Lovin'" | 3:07 |
| 12. | "The Wren's Burial" | 2:31 |
Charts
Personnel
Adapted from the album liners notes.[18]
- 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