C A T H Y , Texts

"Brazilian rhythms, flamenquitos or rumberos, accompaneed by eloquent whisper-like vocals, wonderfull." .........DIEGO MANRIQUE, el pais de las tentaciones " the songs, mesmerized with their flamenquitos sound and minimalist-pop..."..........EL MUNDO "Cathy Claret presents the most cosmopolitain and gipsy take on flamenco." ...........LUCIA BELTRAN, FLAMENCO 2000 " A mystery, familiar and at the same time different, how can we describe Cathy Claret".........J.M.D. LA MARSEILLAISE (France) "Gipsies worship her like a princess ".......MIDI-LIBRE (France) "Cathy Claret possesses an essence that others strive for, she's an artist's artist."........PEDRO BARROSO ABC (Spain) "A nomadic artist that keeps her naivety " ............JORDI BIANCOTTI, EL PERIODICO (Spain) "Simply a brilliant and gifted artist".........INTERVIU "...a blend, mixed to perfection...".........J-M DOUILLARD (France) Herstory Cathy's life started in the French Mediterranean, in a rather bohemian family that never stayed long in one place. Traveling within 3 continents, her family lived in more than 30 cities, mostly in France, Spain and the U.S.A. Her mother died young and Cathy directed her own life from adolescence. Her musical debut, as a flute and electric bass player, was an expression of her nomadic lifestyle. Quickly, Cathy, a self-made musician, became part of an experimental band that played novel compositions with toy instruments (with P. Comelade and others). At the same time, she played weddings and festivals in several small rumba/flamenco groups, where she got to know musicians that would later be recognized as founders of Nuevo-flamenco*. She was "adopted" by their family. Her friendship with Pata Negra's Amador brothers goes back to this time. *...New flamenco movement among young flamenco musicians who were influenced by other contemporary and traditional musics (rock, pops, jazz, etc.) since 80's. She developed her own sound, which has been described as "sweet candy floss french pop meets bossa-nova "a la "Astrud Gilberto", and "eloquent whisper-like voice with a touch of minimalist pop". As a songwriter and musician, Cathy appears on many records. As a composer/interpreter, she has recorded 2 12" vinyls and 3 lp's. Her first 12", Porque Porque (1987 Paris/Virgin) was with Raimundo Amador, former Pata Negra guitarist/composer who also played with Camaron. The second 12", called El color (Paris/Virgin), was also recorded with Pata Negra. Her first solo album titled "Cathy Claret" was released in 1989. Raimundo Amador produced her second solo album, Soleil Y Locura, 1991. The third, La Chica del Viento, was produced by Kiko Veneno (a very innovative songwriter/musician and one of the leaders, along with Camaron and Pata Negra, of the rebirth of flamenco) and Cathy. She gave Raimundo Amador a song called Bollore, which was made famous in a duet with B.B. King. It is Bollore that led to her nomination for best songwriter/composer in Spain for 1999.

update * 2003.4.8

Special thanks for translation help: Sara.

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