Album Notes

"Celia Slattery has had a storied career of mixing music and monologue into exuberantly theatrical form. She's taken many creative avenues on more than one continent, and focused her musical prowess and ability to entertain into her latest CD - aptly named - Cast of Characters. From standards by Leonard Cohen and nuanced mixes...Celia mixes similarly well lit originals and works with her long time collaborator, Mark Shilansky, to offer a production-rich delivery on her new CD. Together they define fresh Jazz elements with an old yet reemerging world view and tone.
- Shaun McNamara, Metronome Magazine


You’re invited to the “cast party” as singer and songwriter Celia Slattery celebrates the release of her new CD, "Cast of Characters." Celia's original music weaves elements of folk, rock, and jazz with perceptive lyrics inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Richard Thompson, all of whom she also covers on the album. Some of the themes her music touches upon include enduring relationships ("SeaGlass"); treasuring friendship ("Cast of Characters"); and overcoming cynicism ("A Happy Ending").

"Bamboo Bar" tells the story of Celia's stint at a famous hotel in Bangkok, while "Distant Thunder" addresses the suffering of veterans and their families. Also included in the album are two songs by British songwriter David Rotheray, formerly of the popular UK band The Beautiful South. (Rotheray also plays a guitar solo on the album in "SeaGlass".)

Celia is backed on the album by a virtuosic band including Mark Shilansky, keyboards, Greg Holt, bass, and Steve Kirby, guitar; along with well-known drummer Dave Mattacks. Mattacks, who has recorded with legends like Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Richard Thompson, was a member of the folk-rock group Fairport Convention and played on the original recording of "Farewell, Farewell", a song covered on the CD.