History - a short autobiography

Catherine Howe was born in Yorkshire in 1950, the youngest child in a family originally hailing from London and Essex.  Early musical influences came from her older brothers’ and sisters’ record collections, mainly Fats Domino and Buddy Holly.  She went to Corona Stage School in Hammersmith, London, when she was twelve years old, which led, during the 60s, to acting work.  In 1969 Howe signed a publishing and recording deal with Reflection Records which resulted in the 1971 release of the album What A Beautiful Place.   Working with producers Del Newman and later Pip Williams, and with musicians Fiachra Trench, guitarists Paul Keogh and Mike Silver, founder King Crimson drummer Michael Giles, Frank Ricotti, Clem Cattini and bass player Brian Odgers, further albums with RCA and Ariola Records followed in the 70s.  Her song ‘Harry’ received an Ivor Novello Award in 1975.  

Thereafter, Howe produced no recorded music for two decades.  It was not until 2006 that the album Princelet Street appeared, produced and arranged by guitarist Kevin Healy.  Catherine is preparing performances with classical guitarists Francis Griffin and Leo Turner and is working on songs, performance and recording with guitarist and songwriter Vo Fletcher. 

Observer Music Monthly, January 2007 – Barney Hoskyns: If you love pure female voices look no further.

Time Out New York, February 15th 2007- Mike Wolf: Howe’s serenely yearning vocals glide . . . conjuring that odd nostalgia for a time and place few of us would know.

Los Angeles City Beat, January 2007 – Chris Morris:  At it’s center is Howe, whose chilled, half-swallowed, vibrato-free vocals maintain a sustained, charming purity.

Dusted Magazine, 2007 – Emerson Dameron:  plaintive melodies and lyrics about childhood memories, twisted innocence and changing times . . .

Stylus Magazine, 2007 – Andrew Gaerig:  her voice practically forcing empathy, and her ornate, accomplished vision of folk music seems complete.

Boomkat, 2007 –  frankly gorgeous songwriting . . . Pure and beautiful, lovers of good quality folk music should investigate [What A Beautiful Place] immediately.