Debra Cowan's newest CD "Fond Desire Farewell". To get purchase information, you can go to my website

This CD was arranged and produced by Dave Mattacks, known for his work with the English folk-rock band Fairport Convention. Fond Desire Farewell contains contemporary songs written by Richard Thompson, Bill Caddick, Nic Jones, Steve Tilston, and Ralph Stanley. Ray Davies's "Alcohol" has become a favorite among listeners as has Chris Moore's "Wall of Stone". The traditional songs in this recording reflect Debra's extensive research of North American and British Isles ballad collections.

Exploring the theme "transformation through devastation", Debra Cowan's newest recording, "Fond Desire Farewell", is being hailed as her greatest work so far. Cowan and Mattacks have taken contemporary and time-honored traditional songs and put them in a modern setting. Dedicated to her late brother, Michael Strassman who passed away suddenly during the project, Debra says that "...this recording project was a large part of my healing."

Debra Cowan started performing in California 35 years ago and began touring in 1998, with frequent stops in the US and UK, from folk clubs to festivals like the New Bedford Summerfest and the Dunbar Folk Festival in Scotland. That led her to where she is now, a full-time singer who bridges the old and new with a refreshing stage presence.

Dave Mattacks is arguably the world's greatest "folk rock" drummer, having held down the beat in the seminal UK band, "Fairport Convention" from 1969 to 1997. Mattacks has toured and recorded with the likes of Jethro Tull, Paul McCartney, Elton John, XTC, and George Harrison -- among many others -- and is one of the most sought-after drummers in the United Kingdom and America. He can be seen behind the kit with artists as unique and talented as Rosanne Cash, Judith Owen, and Grey Delisle.

Praise and Comments:

Ranked #29 for the Top Albums for April 2009 on the US-based Folk DJ-l discussion list

"Debra has a voice which beautifully combines Celtic and Appalachian sensibilities. She and Dave Mattacks have created a deeply satisfying, lyrical and musically elegant record." -Roseanne Cash, singer and songwriter

"...a wonderful voice and the production is great - unobtrusive and yet full...." -Mike Harding, host, Folk and Acoustic BBC Radio 2

"...this is my kind of record. Beautifully sung and superbly produced." - Linda Thompson, singer

Named "CD of the Week" and one of "Rich's Picks" by Rich Warren, host, Midnight Special, WFMT, Chicago, IL

"Well done to all concerned, it's a lovely album indeed with a great choice of material, and excellent notes" - Len Holton, host From Albion and Beyond, KUAR, Little Rock, AR

Debra Cowan

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