NIAMH de BURCA
WHERE THE HEART LIES
With:
Jim O'Leary: vocal duets
Fergal O'Murchu: backing vocals
Guest Musicians
Mick O'Brien: Uilleann Pipes/Whistles
Maire Breathnach: Fiddle/Viola
Seamus Brett: Keyboards/Accordion
Mark Kelly: Guitar
Mick Giblin: Guitar
Bill Shanley: Electric/Acoustic Guitars
James Blennerhasset: Double Bass
We introduce another neglected classic of Irish trad music. Released in 2006, this brilliant record was lost in the Celtic Mist goldrush. We consider enough time has passed and it is about this wonderful CD got the release it deserves. We feel sure Niamh's singing will be welcomed by newcomers to her talent, also to aid her she has recruited the cream of Ireland's musicians.
One of Ireland's better-kept secrets, although well known among her own traditional Dublin community, Niamh De Burca is a smooth-voiced singer equally at home in Gaelic or English, in traditional or gently contemporary style.
With an excellent selection of songs in English and Irish, she has assembled a cast of first class musicians and produced a recording that is a pleasure to listen to Niamh's voice will appeal to purists, tourists and folkies alike.
Audio
Track 1: Faoilean
Track 2: Ye Lovers All
Track 3: Here's A Health
Track Listing
- Faoilean
- My Johnny Was A Shoemaker
- Neansai 'Mhile Gra
- Seal Tamall ar Strae
- The Fairy Boy
- Sile Ni Ghadhra
- If I Never Spend A Morning Without You
- Barr a' tSeibhe
- Farewell Dearest Nancy
- De Bharr na gCnoc
- Ye Lovers All
- Here's A Health
Watch Niamh & Mark Kelly on You Tube
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/...]
Press Reviews
The Living Tradition
Niamh De Burca, more easily said by we English as Neeve Burke, is described on the publicity accompanying this CD as 'One of Irish music's best-kept secrets'. I must uphold that because I hadn't heard of her before this recording, perhaps because she has worked extensively abroad, also in the Park Singers Choir, and as part of the group Fionnuisce supporting Mary Black.
Not many singers have toured in Estonia but Niamh has, likewise in Galicia, Cantabria, and Asturias, Northern Spain. In Paris she sang with the RTE Concert Orchestra, and the Ronan Guilfoyle Jazz Band. A wide range of experiences and influences to be sure, but in this album traditional song is to the fore, with some modern items thrown in - Andy M. Stewart's If I Ever Spend a Morning Without You for instance - elegantly sung.
In fact, elegance and grace are notable qualities in Ms De Burca's singing, along with a quality of tone usually described as 'Haunting'. I'll go along with that, and most of the songs here demonstrate it fully, singing in Gaelic or English. The opening track, Faoilean sets the standard and she upholds it all the way through. There is a lovely duet with Jim O'Leary on 'Farewell Dearest Nancy', and I can recommend 'Neansai 'Mhile Gra', 'The Fairy Boy', and a nicely swinging 'Here's a Health!', the albums closer. All her musicians are top notch but I would have liked to have heard an unaccompanied song, I have a feeling she would have a lot to offer in that department.
