Local band led by singer Cathy Richardson has sold over 10,000 independently released cd's locally, played every major club from the Vic to Park West, House of Blues, Cubby Bear, Double Door, tons of local fests and street fairs. The band has broken in a new lineup, and released a 4th CD, Snake Camp, in early '98.
The new disc is CRB's strongest work yet. While their previous work was solid (and the live show one of the most energetic in Chicago in recent memory) it was often accused of being somewhat derivative of the female roots rock of the Melissa Etherige/Indigo Girls school. Snake Camp will surely put those comparisons to rest. An exciting mix of roots rock, bluesy stomps, jazz and folk, the record even includes some very cool sitar parts on "Fly," (a fantastic track that is very very radio friendly). "Live a Lie," a duet with Grant Tye is a fantastic love song (well, a love-ish song). The duet is usually a schmaltzy and cheesy form, but Tye and Richardson infuse the song with great feeling and their voices complement each beautifully. "Rain" is a nice jazz/blues tune complete with a nice trumpet bit by Randy Riley and weather sound effects. "Berwyn" is a fun honkey tonk salute to everybody's favorite western suburb. Even the inventive packaging is fantastic on this record. Snake Camp is the most fun and diverse record from CRB to date.
Richardson began her career as a solo guitarist/singer, performing acoustic shows. When Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang disbanded in Februrary 1993 the Richardson picked up several members -- guitarist Grant Tye and drummer Greg Marsh (also Joe Walsh, the Band's Rick Danko, The Way Moves, and Kevin Matthew's Ed Zepplin). Bassist Randy Riley (previously of Jewel Fetish, Ed Zeppelin) also joined the band. Other musicians who have appeared on recordings include Pat Brennan, Leddie Garcia, John Rice, Jim Peterik, and Buzz Kilman.
Recordings have included the debut moon, not banana (independent, 1993), Fools on a Tandem (independent, 1995), All Excess:Live@Park West" (independent, 1996) and the latest Snake Camp (Bloody Nurse, 1998)
Richardson's powerful, full voice and acoustic guitar frame songs which range from driving rock and country-tinged songs to bitingly clever ditties (like her ode to unplanned sex, "O Starry Night, Sorry Night" -- which opens "I'm not the type of girl who's easily persuaded to take off all her clothes and let her body be invaded."). Frequently compared with Melissa Etheridge, Richardson grew up idolizing Heart (who, as her next-door neighbor told her were "some girls who could really play guitar." Like them, Richardson is also an engagingly energetic stage performer... The Burr Ridge native is also in another band called the Juleps.
Be sure to visit their website's "Ask Cathy" Q&A section page, and a section where Cathy lists some of the highlights of her career, including meeting Heart's Ann Wilson and smoking pot with Greg Kihn...
For more information, visit their website: http://www.cathyrichardsonband.com
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