The Farthest Wave

Cathie Ryan’s publishing company is called ‘Wake The Neighbours Music’ so there’s a good indication that she’s not going to be a timid little thing. This is most evident on the opening track ‘What’s Closest To The Heart’ which is an altogether more up-tempo number than the rest of the album. The bulk of the material is gentler with a beautifully measured take on John Spillane’s ‘The Wild Flowers’ but there is also a sense of fire in the vocals. There is a tinge of old school country underpinning some of the tracks and the origins of her version of ‘Rough And Rocky’ are credited to the singing of Emmylou Harris. This is the territory where the album really shines.