Eliza Carthy

At just 24 year’s old Mercury Prize nominee Eliza Carthy has already shot to the forefront of the world’s burgeoning folk movement. Now she’s poised to propel herself headlong into the mainstream with the release of her truly absorbing major label debut “Angels & Cigarettes”. The album is set for release in the US, early 2001. Set to confirm her status as a world class artist, this album sees Eliza fulfil her immense potential and much more besides – the global musical stage lies at her feet. Be sure to check out Eliza Carthy’s US tour in February 2001.

Since the release of her critically acclaimed independent albums “Heat, Light and Sound” and the 1998 Mercury Prize nominated double offering “Red Rice”, Eliza has been widely acknowledged as one of the most creative, and original, young talents in music today. She has built on her vast reputation as a singing and fiddle sensation and emerged with “Angels & Cigarettes” – a modern sounding collection of personal, passionate and intensely affecting songs.

Set in a dazzling variety of musical styles and settings, this 10-track album casts a mesmeric spell over the listener part uplifting, part brutally emotional, but always intelligent and inspiring throughout. The entire album is a lesson in the art of timeless songwriting from start to finish. Non more so than the seductive, idyllic forthcoming single “Whole”, a classic introduction to Eliza’s sound. She has absorbed a rich tapestry of traditional sounds and reinvented them in her own unique way – a melting pot of old and new, captivating lyrics, entrancing vocal melodies, sublime fiddle playing and heartfelt arrangements.

Check out the opener “Whispers Of Summer” for a dose of sunshine, sample “Train Song” for modern rhythms spiced up with a dash of latin spirit, and become entwined in the pace and luscious chorus of “Beautiful Girl.” Lose yourself in the heavenly vocals of “Perfect” and on a more light-hearted note skip to the bittersweet “The Company Of Men”, complete with stunning 25 piece string section. “Angels & Cigarettes” also included Eliza’s reworking of Paul Weller’s “Wildwood”.

Recorded in Brighton, London and Edinburgh, the album was produced by Al Scott (whose credits range from The Levellers to Bomb The Bass). Eliza was accompanied on “Angels & Cigarettes” by an impressive pool of musicians – including members of the Eliza Carthy Band, her father Martin Carthy, Van Dyke Parks, pedal steel player and REM/Richard Ashcroft collaborator BJ Cole, The Mondriaan String Quartet, and Leland Sklar.

Eliza has toured extensively throughout the UK, as well as making frequent visits to Europe, the U.S., South America, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. Over the past three years, she has been special live guest for acts as diverse as Bryan Ferry, Oysterband, Van Dyke Parks, Billy Bragg and most recently Joan Baez.

“Angels & Cigarettes” is the result of a lifetime’s dedication to music, from an artist whose career is only just beginning.

Eliza will be touring the UK in the coming months – more details to be announced soon.