''A Comfortable Man'' is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cathal Smyth. It was produced by

Charlie Andrew Charles Andrew is a British record producer, mixer and songwriter. He is best known for his work with indie band Alt-J. In 2013 he was awarded 'Breakthrough Producer of the Year' by his peers at Music Producers Guild awards, in 2016 he won th ...

and Kirsty Mangan. The album was first made available in 2014 as a vinyl LP, limited to 1,000 copies and sold during Smyth's three night performance at

Wilton's Music Hall Wilton's Music Hall is a Grade II* listed building in Shadwell, built as a music hall and now run as a multi-arts performance space in Graces Alley, off Cable Street in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is one of very few surviving music ...

. It was given a full release by the Phoenix Rising Recording Co. in 2015, reaching No. 68 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 10 on the Independent Albums Chart. Many tracks on ''A Comfortable Man'' were written following the breakdown of Smyth's 28-year marriage in 2005. After completing the recording of the album, Smyth departed

Madness Madness or The Madness may refer to: Emotion and mental health * Anger, an intense emotional response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat * Insanity, a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns * ...

to embark on his solo career. Speaking of the album to the

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in 2015, Smyth said: "The cycle of songs started with "Are the Children Happy?" and "Love Song No. 7". It was a very emotional time, it was a very cathartic act writing those songs. I decided I wanted to sit on them for some time to let the dust settle. When you're in Madness and you're writing, it keeps you occupied. It's asa very personal project on the sidelines. And I always think timing is essential and when it feels right." A music video for "You're Not Alone" was released in September 2014. The song was released as a download single in March 2015, followed by "Do You Believe in Love?" and "Are the Children Happy?".

Critical reception

Upon release, Tony Clayton-Lea of ''

The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...

'' stated: "''A Comfortable Man'' is a cathartic exercise. Smyth has taken the opportunity to lay bare his thoughts about personal matters across a sequence of gently wrought, beautifully orchestrated balladic pop songs with rather morose titles." ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...

'' picked ''A Comfortable Man'' as their album of the week and commented: "Smyth's simple, honest lyrics and straightforward delivery mean that songs such as "Are the Children Happy?" make a real emotional connection with the listener, while his gift for a pop melody allows for light relief on the upbeat numbers." ''

Mojo Mojo may refer to: * Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in Hoodoo Arts, entertainment and media Film and television * ''Mojo'' (2017 film), a 2017 Indian Kannada drama film written and directed by Sreesha Belakvaadi * '' ...

'' wrote: "...the musical document of his journey is appropriately desolate but altogether rather moving. Essentially it's Smyth playing Victorian parlour piano accompanied by mournful strings and celestial backing vocals." '' Uncut'' commented: "The LP springs to life when Smyth ignores the ponderous ballads and hits the pop jugular. "Do You Believe in Love?" and "She's Got the Light" are joyous naif: "Love Song No. 7" tugs effectively at the heart strings, while "Are the Children Happy?" is the most gut wrenchingly poignant divorce song you'll ever hear."

Track listing

Charts

Personnel

Adapted from the album liners notes. ;Musicians * Cathal Smyth – vocals, backing vocals, piano (1, 8, 9, 12), whistling (4) *

– drums (2, 4, 5, 7), percussion (2-5, 7, 10, 11), bass (2), synthesizer (4), backing vocals (4, 6), arrangements * Kirsty Mangan – violin (1-6, 8, 10-12), piano (3, 4, 6, 7, 10), backing vocals (2, 4, 5, 7, 8), viola (3, 6, 12), dilruba (3), Hammond organ (7), Rhodes (10), arrangements * Tim Adam-Smith – guitar (2-5, 7, 10, 11), piano (5) * Adrian Acolatse – double bass (2, 5-8, 10, 11) * Paul Powell – bass (8, 12) * Sarah Bateson – ukulele (2, 4, 6, 7, 11), backing vocals (2) * Robert Cherry – accordion (5, 7, 11) *

Rachael Lander RaVen Quartet was a London-based string quartet that performed arrangements of both classical and rock music.

– cello (3, 6, 12) * Jo Archard – violin (1) *

Benedict Taylor Benedict Sean Taylor (born 18 April 1960) is a British actor. Taylor was born in Hampstead, London, the eldest of six children of Richard, a documentary film maker, and Allegra, a writer. Taylor lived in Nigeria until 1965 and then was brought ...

– viola (1) * Rhian Porter – cello (1) * Madeleine Kate Hylland – additional vocals (1, 8) * The Noctis Chamber Choir – choir (1, 3, 6, 8, 11) * Jordan Florence Hess – children backing vocals (8) * Sophie Rose Davidson – children backing vocals (8) * Lily Charlotte Davidson – children backing vocals (8) *

Joe Duddell Joe Duddell (born 26 July 1972)
profile at

– choir (1, 3, 6, 8, 11) and strings arrangements (1) ;Production * Charlie Andrew – production (2-7, 9-11), additional production (8, 12), recording (2-7, 10, 11), strings recording (8) * Kirsty Mangan – production (2-7, 9-11), additional production (8, 12) * Paul Powell – production (1), main vocal production and recording (from original demo) (11) * Felix Quine – production (8, 12), recording (8, 12) *

Alan Winstanley Alan Kenneth Winstanley (; born 2 November 1952) is an English record producer and songwriter, active from the mid-1970s onwards. He usually works with Clive Langer. Early life He was born in Fulham in November 1952 to parents Ken and Doreen. ...

– recording (1), mixing (1-12) * Cameron Gower Poole – engineer (1) * Tom Campbell – assistant engineer (1) * Jason Howes – recording (9) *

Simon Halfon Simon Halfon is a graphic designer and film producer most noted for his work with the Jam, the Style Council, and Paul Weller. Halfon has also worked with Oasis, Nick Heyward and George Michael, among others. Halfon's most visible work has focus ...

– sleeve design * Raquel Martinez Royo – cover and colour photography * Simon Pantling – black and white photography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Comfortable Man, A 2015 debut albums Albums produced by Charlie Andrew Chas Smash albums