Through Wind and Rain

Released: 2012

Artist: Cathie Ryan

Label: Mo Leanbh

Through Wind and Rain features Cathie’s distinctive mix of original, traditional, and contemporary song. Her voice still rings with the crystalline purity of her earliest work, but as the old Irish proverb goes, ‘Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir’ – time is a good storyteller. And time has given Cathie’s story telling greater depth and maturity. Her delivery of these songs comes from a deeper, more knowing place. It is her most personal collection to date and promises to be her best.

For well over two decades Ryan has been redefining Irish American singing. Her choice of songs draws from the Irish tradition she was immersed in while growing up with Irish parents and also from the American tradition of her hometown, Detroit, Michigan. She once again combines these influences in an outstanding collection of songs. Ryan says, “I am an Irish and American singer. The roots to Ireland within me are very strong, but everything that has grown from them has mostly happened in America. So both forces flow through my singing and through every song I choose to sing.”

Through Wind and Rain features original songs, some that Ryan co-wrote, old songs she unearthed from both the Irish and the American traditions, and songs by other writers she admires. She is excited that, this time out, those other writers are mostly women. “Before I realized it, I had chosen songs by women or songs co-written by women. Women have a hand in every single song on this CD. I love that.”

When asked what inspired her to go in this direction, Ryan replies. “It was unconscious, but I think it has to do with the events in my life these past years. I lived in a community with loads of great women and they were a strong support system. And I needed that support. I have always been blessed with great female friends. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without them. I wanted to honor that. And also, I think I didn’t sing songs by other women singers I admired because I didn’t want to invite comparison to them. It finally hit me that that was a load of old nonsense. After all, the song that inspired the whole recording is by Laura Smith. I wanted to sing the message of that song. And then I decided to record one of my favorite songs by Kate Rusby – and that’s where the title of the CD comes from. Then Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh graciously allowed me to do a translation from the Irish of one of her songs, a lullaby. It came out beautifully. And on it went. I’m really happy with the feel of the whole CD. I had no idea it would come out so well. ”

Recorded in both Ireland and America, the CD features 11 songs and an unusual bonus track. The bonus is a full on set of tunes played by her award winning band, featuring Patsy O’Brien on guitar, Matt Mancuso on fiddle, and Brian Melick on percussion. It is the first time Ryan has included the jigs and reels her band is renowned for at their live shows on one of her recordings. She says, “I love the way Patsy, Matt and Brian play tunes, they have such lift in their playing – fierce spirit. I thought it was high time to add their tunes to a CD. Our live shows mix tunes and songs so it seemed overdue.”

Another first for this recording is that Ryan produced it herself. She chose her band to be at the core of it, and she once again called on friend and virtuoso guitarist John Doyle. “John plays guitar on 7 of the songs and adds harmonies too. I love working with him, writing songs, figuring out arrangements. He played on my last two CDs as well. And have to say, having him on board with Patsy, Matt and Brian was brilliant.”

Other players who joined in on the recording are a veritable “who’s who” of Irish music – Donogh Hennessy (two of the tracks were recorded at Donogh’s studio in Dingle), Michelle Mulcahy, Joanie Madden, Seamus Egan, Pauline Scanlon, Éilís Kennedy, Fiona McBain, Aoife O’Donovan, Michael McGoldrick and more.

Click the link below to order your pre-release copy. We begin mailing on August 15, 2012. MP3 downloads will be available on the official release date, Sept 18, 2012.