Introduction
Cara Tivey is an English pianist/keyboardist and vocalist who had mainly worked as a side musician. She is best known for her collaborations with Billy Bragg. Tivey is also the cousin of Stephen and Nick Duffy of The Lilac Time.
Biography
Tivey got her first recording break by playing keyboards on Everything But The Girl's 1986 album Baby the Stars Shine Bright.
In 1988, she started working with Billy Bragg on the Workers Playtime album. She got a shared bill with Bragg on the song "She's Leaving Home", which they recorded for the Beatles tribute Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father compilation. The song eventually reached number one in the UK Singles Chart as part of the double A side single along with Wet Wet Wet's "With a Little Help from My Friends".
Tivey performed on Bragg's 1990 album The Internationale and on 1991's Don't Try This at Home, before he took a five-year break in recording. Also in 1990 and 1991, Tivey contributed to The Lilac Time's Paradise Circus, & Love for All and Astronauts LPs.
During Bragg's hiatus, Tivey contributed to the Music In Colors album by Stephen Duffy in 1993. She also became Blur's live keyboardist during their Modern Life Is Rubbish and Parklife era.
Tivey reunited with Bragg for the final time on his 1996 album, William Bloke.
Personal life
Tivey currently works as a Music Lecturer at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford, England. She is married to fellow musician Micky Harris, and they have two sons.