|
Event
Kitty Donohoe
Ann Arbor based songwriter and Michigan Emmy recipient Kitty Donohoe is not an Irish or Celtic singer, but she clearly draws from that part of her heritage, as well as her American roots, as an artist. Iconic WFMT-Chicago folk dj Rich Warren calls Kitty far above and beyond most singersongwriters. She writes music that has been called earthy, luminous and compelling (The Weekender) and shes been praised in the press equally for her voice, her musicality, and her songwriting. Sing Out!, one of the oldest and most respected folk music magazines in the industry, says that Kitty is one of the rare singer-songwriters to sensuously weave words and melody into a strong and mezmerizing fabric.
Over the years Kitty has opened for a variety of artists, from Doc Watson to David Bromberg, from Bruce Cockburn to Cheryl Wheeler and in 2008 she and sideman David Mosher took the stage at an Obama rally just before Bruce Springsteen. Already known for years for her songwriting, Kittys visibility escalated to a much bigger world when she wrote a song called There Are No Words on September 11, 2001. In addition to the Emmy Kitty received for the song, its been featured in a documentary, which led to her singing it live at the Dedication of the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial in 2008 an experience that she calls profound.
Growing up in a large, creative family outside of Detroit, Kitty started making up songs and playing the piano at a young age, then graduated to the guitar in high school, when she began going to coffeehouses and open mic nights, bringing the guitar and her own songs. When she became involved in Irish music Kitty bought a cittern (a large mandolin), and she still primarily plays guitar, cittern and piano. Kitty is a solid solo performer, and also often brings multi-instrumentalist David Mosher to her concerts, where he backs her up with guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and vocals. And although some of her originals may sound like they were written 100 years ago and others are clearly contemporary, one thing is certain: with or without a band behind her, Kittys striking voice carries it all, delivering each song with power and emotion.
Never a traditional music purist, Kitty has been integrating trad instrumentation into her original music even bluesy or torchy songs since her first album, Farmer in Florida, recorded in 1986. Shes been often cited by reviewers with having the ability to merge instinctive pop sensibilities with a solidly traditional base All Music Guide. On her most recent album Northern Border, for instance, Kittys song Kid with a Gun, clearly having a very current theme, opens with haunting uilleann (Irish) pipes, which also weave throughout the dark lyrics and melody. Or in Come on Girls, where the melody dives into the traditional fiddle tune Tar Road to Sligo, then comes back out to finish the song. Of that approach to writing and recording Kitty says I dont really think about it all that much. It just comes through like that and it makes sense to me musically.
Kitty has just released her latest CD, The Irishmans Daughter.
|
|
 |
LocationTrinity Church (View)
34500 West Six Mile
Livonia, MI 48152
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
|
Contact
|
