Cheryl Catherine Smith

Cheryl Catherine has the sort of back story that speaks of urban legend, mythology and hearsay, yet I am assured it's all true. A father who may have been part of the Mafia in New Jersey drove to Vancouver to see his two children when Smith was eight. The next day he was found dead. Smith's life spun slowly out of control from there. Smith frantically searched for meaning and purpose, trying everything from modeling to religion to drugs. Personal tragedy (rape) and success mixed in a whirlwind leading up Smith's own suicide attempt. Somewhere in there Smith came to terms with her own path; since that time the creative possibilities in her music have opened up a whole new world for Smith, who has been compared to Pat Benetar, Pink, Leonard Cohen and even Bette Midler. Smith's self-titled debut CD, released in 2008, is starting to gain serious traction in Canada and the United States, even garnering airplay in the UK.

Opener All Dark Places is set to a dance beat and speak of the void in anyone who has been hurt that waits for love to fill it. The vocal is lush and entrancing with a rocker edge to it. This will be the second single in the US and has serious commercial potential. Smash Up My Telephone opens with a talk/sing introduction before heading into a lyric bridge and a guitar-heavy chorus. This is another tune with real potential commercial impact. It's just off the beaten path enough to stand out and finely crafted enough as a Pop/Rock song to swim with the big musical fishes. Why Does She Hate You has already earned status as a moderate radio hit in the US. It's a driven rock song that calls to a cross between Pat Benetar and Patti Smyth. With the right push from a label this would easily be a top-10 single. It's that good.

Smith heads for deeper waters on My Body Bends, a song about the sort of insecurity, fear and plain that leads some to the point of ultimate decisions such as suicide. The song is shocking in its presentation, sounding otherwise like a 1980's Pop/Rock song. Pardon Me is a protest song of sorts against the power brokers of the world. It's spoken word over ethereal keyboard and a heavy, slow rhythm. It may be Mother Nature speaking or some other goddess figure but could just as easily be any deity you choose. I Am Strong is done as a country tune about getting out before things fall apart. The song appears to be written from the perspective of someone afraid of things working out rather than of them falling apart. It's great writing, fully in character and in situ. Time Is On My Side is a radio-ready Country/Rock anthem about believing in yourself. This could easily become the theme song of a television show and could become an anthem for all those striving to make their dreams come true.

September Morning addresses growing up and beginning to see that all the things that looked black and white at 18 are really all different shades of grey. This is a theme that has been done many times over in popular music, but Smith avoids cliché and creates a cogent and poetic pop song. Superhero walks the line between love song and best friend song; it could be read either way. Regardless of your reading this is a classic pop tune with serious potential for licensing and an outside chance of breaking at radio. It's a catchy melody, a solid and well-delivered subject laid out in poetic language and a steady pop beat that leaves it open to dancing. This is real mix-tape material and an instantly likeable tune. Smith heads back to the Country sound on Let Sleeping Dogs Lie; singing in the warm alto part of her range and letting herself go completely in the singer/songwriter pastiche she's so good at. Smith closes out with the Rockabilly/Rhythm N Blues On My Way; an acknowledgement that in spite of whatever has come before Smith is heading toward her dreams. It's a song that most working musicians can identify with. It reflects confidence and belief in self and is done with an almost magical touch on lyrics.

Cheryl Catherine Smith is the real deal. Her sound varies from Rock to Pop to Country without any variation in the quality of her songwriting. Cheryl Catherine Smith is the sort of album that breaks out and big, turning a relative unknown into a known commodity and occasionally even into a big star. There's enough material here with real commercial impact to sell a lot of albums/downloads, but Smith never seems to aim for a commercial sound. It's more like she writes what she writes and some of it is just so good that commercial radio can't ignore her. Once you've heard Cheryl Catherine Smith you won't be able to ignore her either.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Wildy’s World Review, by Wildy Haskell 09/15/09

http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-cheryl-catherine-smith-cheryl.html
- Wildy Haskell

Canadian Singer/Songwriter Cheryl Catherine Smith has created a unique and interesting sound that will leave music fans breathless. Her style of music is something original and refreshing that mixes elements of Retro Pop, Rock, Spoken Word and Alt Country into beautiful melodic tunes. Add the sweet colorful vocals of Cheryl into the equation; the outcome is something that music fans will soon not forget. ~ Isaac Davis Jr., BGSD,MBA, Editor

http://www.juniorscave.com/Cheryl-Catherine-Smith.html
- Isaac Davis Jr., BGSD,MBA

“I love this track (All Dark Places) and the artist. Best track on the radio!” Darrell Amundson, Program Director, KCPI-fm Radio, Albert Lea, MN

“Cheryl’s song ‘All Dark Places’ is destiny calling each of us to our highest potentials. The song MOVES me, goose bumps emerge and I am reminded and compelled to live fully and freely. It’s #1 on the charts for me!” Cheryl Brewster (Founder, www.theintuitivelife.com)

"This is a very good record. It is doing well for us and our listeners." KFLW Radio, St. Robert, MO

“I love the CD! It's uplifting, joyous, powerful---I love it! It makes me so happy and inspired. Some of the songs make me want to get up and dance and others make me want to close my eyes and just listen.” Elyse L. (Fan, NYC, NY)

“Canadian Singer/Songwriter Cheryl Catherine Smith has created a unique and interesting sound that will leave music fans breathless!” Isaac Davis Jr. (Junior’s Cave Webzine, 08/09)

“Cheryl Catherine Smith is the real deal. Her album breaks out and big, turning a relative unknown into a known commodity and occasionally even into a big star. Once you've heard Cheryl Catherine Smith you won't be able to ignore her either.” Wildy Haskell, (Wildy’s World Review, 09/09)

“Cheryl’s voice can light up a room and combined with Kevin Stuart Swain's musical talents; they are a definite “Must See!”” Lynne White, Manager, Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel BC

“I have enjoyed Cheryl Catherine Smith & Kevin Stuart Swain's talent in a number of different venues. Each time I have been re-energized as a result of the vigor and passion they infuse into their performances. Their compositions are filled with the bold honesty of life lived; its pleasures and its challenges." Susan Ney, Director of Human Resources & Payroll, District of West Vancouver BC

Cheryl Catherine Smith recently featured:

* VOA Music Mix (10/06/09; Washington, DC)
voamusicmix.net

* Indie Revolution Radio Show (09/09; NYC, NY)
indierevolution.mypodcast.com


- Various

"High quality work-great rock, gutsy & a really great vocal... very good productions, songs & performances"

"Your collective experience shows here...well thought out lyrics and arrangement ideas...the blend, interplay between the vocalist and the band, is a big part of the appeal"

"The vocals of Cheryl are strong and convey passion - the song structure is tight. The feel is close to Classic Rock or Retro 80's a la Pat Benatar"

"I'm very impressed with your undeniably strong voice"

"This music is very "big" in sound and very dramatic in melody and story. This voice has the commanding presence of Bette Midler and having dramatic vocal delivery and tone. The wording at times is very poetic and dramatic - cool and vivid in imagery. The tracks are huge in production with strong musicianship"

"Good vocal attitude, creative song writing, solid arrangements and feel for Rock/Pop production; innovative imagery along with some prosaic rhymes"

"This does share some of Sarah Brightman's sense of theatricality. Good vocal attitude, expressive delivery, dramatic phrasing, descriptive imagery, inventive language - very good performances"

"The references in the lyrics are obviously from a cultured, educated mind. Very cool. Your experience in music is evident in the structure and flow of these songs"

"You have lots of good experience as a performer, writer and it shows - the dynamics. expression in your vocals is a plus on all of these songs"

2009
- www.taxi.com

“a chameleon-like versatility...” - Tom Harrison

"One word, GREAT!! I love the songs, the vocals, the mix, the production. They are all terrific!" - Candice James