The Rhatigan line up has changed many times over the years though my main collaborator and song writing inspiration for quite a number of those years is bassist, composer and music programmer John Morrison. We have co-written more than 100 tunes some of which are good the others are brilliant. I'll try to update the songs regularly, to give you a taster.
The other stalwarts of the Rhatigan band for over a decade now are drummers Bryn Burrows and Paul Murphy. The Big Black Hairy Rhat illustration drawn by Steve Molloy features Bryn, however even though Paul is about a foot taller and some 5 kilos heavier you might be forgiven for thinking it's Paul in the picture as he was often sporting the same sleepy expression and no 2 hair cut.
When this line up was gigging regularly around London most notably at our monthly residency at the 12 Bar Club we were joined by lots of great players. Shane The bone Mills bass trombone, Jacqui Grace trombone, Ant (Antony Harding) drums, Jack Hayter pedal steel, Mark Bandola guitar, Rob Lord keys, Alex Morrison guitar, Gina Birch vocals, Michael J Sheehy vocals, guitar, Johnny Greswell viola, John Hodgeson violin, Mary Richards cello, John Cavanagh clarinet and Gayle Harrison xylophone. Visit the gigs pages at www.cushyproductions.com to find out more...
Prior to that I had the pleasure of working with many other wonderful musicians both based in London and New York I'll try to list as many as I can but if I leave any out let me know and I'll rectify the omittion. Top of the list would be Matt Backer guitars, bassist Martyn Swain, drummer Martin Barker, Ian Ritchie Sax/Producer, Holly Penfield vocals, Beverly Craven vocals, Dave Barratt, producer, Bill Clift vocals, Nevile Farmer Vocals, Mathew Selligman bass, Mathew Sweet bass, Robert Quinne guitar, Bernie Worrell keys, Drew Vogleman drums, Fred Maher drums, Deni Bonnet, violin, George Laks, keys, Jack Daly bass, Julius Klepacz drums, Jeff Buckley vocals and guitar, Mark Ribot guitar, Leo Nocentelli drums, and Buddy Miles guitar.
Influences
All the musicians above along side Aretha Franklin, Guided by Voices, Randy Newman, Thin Lizzy and others I'll add them as I think of them...
Sounds Like
Alt Pop with an occasional, rock, folk, electro twist... don't know of any other artists who sound similar enough to say sounds like.
Hi welcome to my space... Here's a bit about my career and life so far!
I started life as a singer in my hometown Dublin, fair enough my audience was generally captive family and friends but I very quickly realised that singing and performing was my favourite thing to do and nothing / no one was going to stop me doing it...
My first ‘professional’ appearance was onstage with legendary Dublin show band Daddy Cool and the Lolipops. I had 2 songs in my repertoire; ‘When a man loves a woman’, and ‘River Deep Mountain High’ Ike & Tina Turner’. To this day I can boast of knowing only 4 other ‘hit’ songs; It’s a ‘Man’s World’ James Brown, ‘You Sexy Thing’ Hot Chocolate, ‘Cross Town Traffic’ Jimi Hendrix and ‘Gimme Some Money’ Spinal Tap. My main ambition was to write my own songs though it was another 10 years before I achieved that. My first gig with an original band was with jazz funk big band Fifth Avenue following that pop electro heads Toy With Rhythm, from there I joined pop rockers Les Enfants, ostensibly because they had a record deal. About the best that can be said of my experience with the latter was that I had my first taste of life in London so when they dumped me from the band I decided to make a permanent move there.
I spent my first year in London going to auditions for anything from west end shows to punk bands, but the only job I got was singing in the Song For Europe under the name Kerry Wells, I came second, had I won I would have represented the UK in the Eurovision song contest, probably better to have lost really…
All this experience, not least the few years I spent in recording studios back in Dublin with producers Deke O Brien, Shay Healy and Bill Whelan set me up for my next successful audition which was for Pete Waterman. Turned out I was too old for the project he had in mind, I was 22, but I quickly found myself in demand as a session singer with his team Mike Stock and Matt Aitken on hits such as Kylie’s 'I should be so lucky' and the unforgettable Reynolds Girls (who?) ‘I'd rather Jack than Fleetwood Mac'. I sang on a lot of the SAW records released between 88 and 94 so as you can imagine the list is too long for these pages…
By now I had started writing in earnest, and with the help of Simon Long I signed my first publishing deal with Peer Music. MD Stuart Ongley quickly set about placing me with other songwriters and musicians to help me on my way and within a couple of years the subsequent demos and connections such as Neville Farmer, lead me to A&R legend Kate Hyman and the New York based label Imago Records and my debut album ‘To Hell With Love. Unfortunately despite a great team of musicians and a million or more dollars spent the record failed to shift the necessary units and I found myself back in London starting all over again, again…
It was then, finding my self bunking down with friends and having no access to my piano I began to learn guitar. Being pretty impatient and eager to play my new material, which had taken a drastic departure from my musical offerings to date not only as a result of my impecunious circumstances but also my limited ability on my new instrument I quickly became Rhatigan the ‘punk’ artist formerly known as Suzanne the singer songwriter, if you get my drift. It was at this time I was introduced to John Morrison by the wonderful Mark Bandola. Our song writing relationship quickly established and along with drummer Bryn Burrows the line up that went on to record ‘Late Developer’ released by indie label Org records. It was the beginning of a most exciting and rewarding time, (though not with fame and fortune) as an artist. Playing on the gig circuit in London and in particular starting my production company Cushy, and promoting a monthly club night at the 12 Bar was some of the happiest years of my life. I was privileged to work with and book many great artists and bands, which you can find out about if you visit www.cushyproductions.com...
I am now happily ensconced I back in Dublin with my partner Manfred and our gorgeous little girl Billie and baby boy Seppi. I hope to upload the official www.suzannerhatigan.com website with a full database of all my songs including all relevant info and history and a discography of all the records I've sung on, and I fully intend to get back to making new music and playing live some day, so please feel free to offer any encouragement I could use it….
Ta
Suzanne
Hey, Our Debut album – Aliquot strings is out now! It’s available in Irish record stores and online (click below). You can get a Free download of ‘Garavogue’ on www.tucanmusic.com Our launch nights are on Sat 6th June in The Clarence – Sligo and Sat 20th June in Crawdaddy – Dublin. Hope you like it! Cheers - Donal and Pearse
Hey, Our Debut album – Aliquot strings is out now! It’s available in Irish record stores and online (click below). You can get a Free download of ‘Garavogue’ on www.tucanmusic.com Our launch nights are on Sat 6th June in The Clarence – Sligo and Sat 20th June in Crawdaddy – Dublin. Hope you like it! Cheers - Donal and Pearse
Drop by my page my friend. I posted a video and MP3 of me doing one of the hottest versions of “Voodoo Child” that you’ll ever hear.....guaranteed to make you smile! …..and you can download the MP3 for free!
As of 3 years ago New Orleans was my home. I was abruptly uprooted as a result of Hurricane Katrina. So you can only imagine how heavy my heart feels this weekend watching the city preparing for the possibility of being hit by a similar sized storm. Yet I am filled with gratitude as I know that I am equipped with the ability to help those that are going to need assistance as a result of the storm. No matter where this storm hits, those there are going to need help. I am proudly announcing that I am coordinating concerts/seminars around the United States to benefit victims in need. This is resulting from my recently published book (The Remains of Hurricane Katrina), and my dream of one day being able to help victims of all types. The first of these events is being planned in New Mexico to benefit their domestic violence victims. I am asking all singers, bands and anyone that can help with these events to contact me as soon as possible. We need all the participation and help that we can acquire. The events are going to have to occur as soon as possible. Please refer to my site for further information or contact me as soon as possible, no matter who you are, if you want to help. It is true, only good results from helping others. It makes dreams come true. Sandra Speer International Marketing Consultant/Promoter Author-The Remains of Hurricane Katrina 954.718. 0733
First, I want to thank all of you who have stepped up offering your help and your encouragement.
In August of 2005, I had no idea as to whether the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina washing my home away forever was the start of my freedom to live a happy and normal life, or the end of my ever being able to have anything at all. It actually became my chance to make a dream come true that I have held in my heart over 20 years, which is to be able to help victims of all types with my story.
My dream to help victims of all types with my story is beginning to come alive with the offer of help from singers and bands in all genres, companie and venues, etc. And, I am extremely happy to announce that many who are in no need at all for extra publicity are offering to help. They state that they are offering because they know that victims need to see as many people as possible show them hope. Last but not least, I have decided that the profits from sales of books is going to go into bringing the seminars to as many victims as possible. So, I am asking that if you cannot do anything outside of ordering a book for a victim, that is enough. Remember, The Remains of Hurrican Katrina is a story of survival through disasters is life. Please offer this story of hope to anyone you know that needs to know that they can get through anything in life. If you contact me when you order the book, I will list you for all to see on my site as helping victims throughout the world. As I said, any help that you can offer will be more than appreciated throughout the world! If you have a friend that would benefit from this message, please forward this message to them. And, to make sure that the world knows you are helping, please contact me so that I can list you as one of the singers, bands, venues, companies or people helping to offer hope to victims.
Hows Suzanne?, Have'nt heard from you in a while. What's this about "Makin' your dreams come true". PUT THIS BAND TOGETHER - SOOOOOON ie: Charlie & Co............
