Catherine MacLellan

Church Bell Blues

Catherine MacLellan is the young singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island whose deeply confessional, powerfully poetic songs have lead to her being touted as the next great songwriter in the tradition of Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot. Catherine’s new new album, CHURCH BELL BLUES was voted “Critics Favorite New Discoveries” in Canadian folk scribe Penguin Eggs, and she was one of the most talked about artists at the 2008 Folk Alliance Festival in Memphis. In 2008 Catherine was asked to open for the legendary songwriter and philanthropist Bruce Cockburn in the U.S.A, and also released her album to the U.S. market. MacLellan's immense vocal and songwriting talents are no secret to music lovers in the Maritimes.

Her potential was first displayed in the group The New Drifts and then on her 2004 solo debut Dark Dream Midnight, but Church Bell Blues ups the ante considerably. It is a sparse and intimate record, one that gently fuses folk and country strains with graceful ease. The disc is clearly focused on Catherine's compelling voice and expressive acoustic guitar, and both are neatly framed by the empathetic production of longtime collaborator James Phillips.Her work is a characteristic of the work of many of the singer/songwriters Catherine cites as influences and inspirations, artists such as Joni Mitchell, Nanci Griffith, Townes Van Zandt, and her East Coast peer, Julie Doiron.

As a young songwriter Catherine MacLellan did not have to look far for inspiration and insight into the creative process. She's the daughter of Canadian music legend; singer/songwriter Gene MacLellan, the writer of such huge international 70s hit songs as "Snowbird" (the Anne Murray classic) and "Put Your Hand In The Hand" (Ocean). Nominated for 2007 East Coast Music Award (Female Solo Recording of the Year) in 2006, Catherine picked up four awards at the PEI Music Awards including Songwriter of the Year. A favourite amongst her east coast songwriter peers, after you listen to her craftsmanship and presentation, you will find it hard to disagree that Catherine MacLellen is a talent whose potential is unlimited.

Links:
catherinemaclelllan.com truenorthrecords.com
facebook.com/pages/Catherine-MacLellan/12240936225