Gavin Friday Releases Solo Album On Good Friday

On Good Friday, April 22, 2011, Gavin Friday, U2′s long time friend and former Virgin Prunes singer, will release his first solo album in 16 years titled catholic. Note his spelling with a small c which as an adjective is defined as “of broad or liberal scope”, “including all humankind, universal.” Produced by Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, Cocteau Twins) , Gavin likens catholic to “waking from a deep sleep, of letting go, of coming to terms with loss.” This is his fourth solo album and a follow-up to 1995′s Shag Tobacco.

In recent years, Gavin has composed the soundtracks to such movies as Jim Sheridan’s In The Name Of The Father & In America and the 50 Cent biopic, Get Rich Or Die Trying with Quincy Jones. In 2005, Gavin had a successful film debut in Neil Jordan’s Breakfast On Pluto which won him much acclaim. More theatrical and collaborative work followed including a reading of W.B. Yeats’ poetry for the National Library’s Summer Wreath in Dublin. U2 fans certainly remember Gavin’s 50th birthday celebration in 2009 at New York’s Carnegie Hall. I was lucky enough to have attended and it was an evening of music I’ll never forget.

On Tuesday, April 26th, The Gallery of Photography in Dublin’s Temple Bar will host a one day event by Gavin Friday. Gavin and graphic designer, Pete Reddy, commissioned one writer and three photographers to work on a presentation of this latest album. Details on this special event with live performances at undisclosed times are here.

The promo shots seen here are taken by none other than U2′s Boy and War cover model, Peter Rowen who is having much success on the other side of the camera.

As a long time fan of Gavin’s, I’d like to wish him the very best of luck.

Note: April 22nd is the Irish/UK/Europe release date of catholic. It will be released May 7th in United States, Australia/New Zealand and South America.

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