DAVE CARTWRIGHT

the occasional hermit...

A professional musician for nearly forty years, Dave Cartwright is now an entertainer of unique standing.  Having recorded 5 albums of his own songs for the prestigious DJM and Transatlantic labels in the mid seventies, he went on to tour the world extensively, appearing at major festivals and on television in Europe, Australia and America.  

    On the concert platform, his natural empathy with all kinds of audience made him an automatic choice to open and share evenings with a myriad of stars, all of whom have benefited from Dave's immediate rapport with a crowd.

    As a talent on his own stage, his warm voice, resonant Guild acoustic 12-string and tunefully inventive harmonica style act as a wonderful backdrop to his songs and humour. His performances are not based on ego, he is merely out to entertain and enjoy, to give value for money. He doesn’t tell jokes, but he will make you laugh; you might not know all his songs, but he’ll soon get you singing; and if you feel down, he will lift you up. He is here to shake you by the hand, not the scruff of the neck.

    Now, after too many years in the recording wilderness, Dave has produced a box set of over sixty brand new yet immediately accessible songs, all bearing that unmistakeable Cartwright combination of beautiful melody and intelligent word, guaranteed indeed to ‘shake you by the hand.’ Entitled The Tinder Box, it is due for release in the spring of 2009, and will revitalise his once-acknowledged position as one of our foremost performing songwriters: a welcome return for simplicity, wry observation and nights of magic.

Some live reviews:

 ‘A great, great night. A hugely talented artiste enjoying himself with—not at the expense of—his audience. Sharp witted, spontaneous humour and new songs so well-crafted they are immediately familiar.’    Wolverhampton Express & Star 

'Singing these songs on stage, Cartwright displays a warmth and humour that will engage any audience, whatever their musical persuasion.’   Gulf News, UAE

'Better by far than the headliner: and the audience knew it even before the night had ended.’   York University Broadsheet

'One minute a lyric so poignant you could hear a pin drop; next a comment so self-deprecating we were laughing fit to burst. This was no loud, brash bash, just a delight to the ear and a tonic to the senses.’   Fremantle Star

'Not many artistes can appear unheralded and yet win over the top-act audience. This man, armed with just guitar, harmonica and a considerably self-deprecating wit, throwing ad-libs at a crowd who initially seemed to be testing him, gave the Celtic-rock fans a bonus on this night to remember.’    Western Daily Gazette

    Away from the music, his poems and short stories have appeared in many periodicals, and his book, Bittersweet, the authorised biography of songwriter Clifford T Ward, was published in 2002 to ecstatic reviews. Voted into the Top Three books of the year by Record Collector magazine, it is now available in Cherry Red paperback. Dave has recently completed Arlecchina, his first novel, and Thoughts Through Glass, a collection of words without music, both of which are awaiting publication.

    When he's not gigging, using the unique skills he honed whilst writing topical songs for BBC television's Pebblemill at One all those years ago, Dave Cartwright can produce songs and poems to order, on any subject. His classic ode to that big celebration of life, Sixty, can be heard at many birthday boogie nights, and—depending on whether you are the guest or the host —can be enjoyed or regretted: it tells the truth of reaching that point of no return very much at the recipient's expense. Fortunately, for Mr (or Mrs...) Sixty, just being alive has so far suppressed any complaints on hearing why at:

Sixty! There’s not a lot to be said,  Sixty! You’re over halfway dead

Sixty! Nobody gives you the eye,  Sixty! You’re invisible, that’s why!

Everyday another wrinkle,  when you pee it’s just a tinkle:

© dave cartwright 2009

All in the best possible taste, of course.

So, if you want something written or written and recorded—a song or a poem, humorous or poignant— for that special occasion, please get in touch. Use the contact details shown, and we will get back to you by return, or maybe even sooner.