Lorraine was born in Wales to Irish parents and was based in Scotland for many years before her recent move to London. She was influenced by Irish music from a young age, and this, along with her contemporary influences is reflected in her powerful and melodic songs. She has released 4 CDs to much critical acclaim, has toured Europe extensively and has a growing audience in the USA and Australia.
Her latest album “A Light Over There” is available in most record shops in the UK through “Proper Distribution”.
Lorraine performs both solo and with her line-up, accompanying her sings on guitar and bouzouki. She has played alongside such fine musicians as Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainright II, Dick Gaughan, Alan Stivell etc..
Previous musicians who have toured with Lorraine’s band have included Niall O’Callanain (Deiseal); Neil Davy (Anam); Steafan Hannigan (Sin E); Tony McManus, Mairi Campbell, Tim O..Leary and Pete Garnett (Moishe’s Bagel)
Here’s a sample of Festivals that Lorraine’s played at so far:
The National Folk Festival (Australia) , The Blue Mountains Festival (Australia), Music from the Islands Festival (Tasmania), The Brunswick Folk Festival (Australia), Folkest (Italy), Festinal (Italy), Ladder Folk Festival (Israel), Hallein Festival (Austria), Gutenbrunn Festival (Austria), Festival Celtique (Chambery/France); Sidmouth International Folk Festival (England), Jersey Folk Festival (UK), Pontardawe Folk Festival (Wales); Edinburgh International Fringe Festival (Scotland), The Shetland Festival (Scotland), The Girvan Folk Festival (Scotland), Isle of Islay Folk Festival (Scotland), Stonehaven Folk Festival (Scotland); The Hebridean Festival (Scotland), Knockengorroch Festival (Scotland), Women In Tune Festival (Wales).
The last few years have seen her touring also with
Planet Woman- a cultural collaboration of female musicians from both sides of the globe bringing together Celtic, Pacific and Maori musical traditions. For more info click on the link above.
Some album reviews, but you can read many more reviews by visiting
Lorraine's website. .
" An artist that has genuinely come of age. Her song Dreamers could have been penned by Sandy Denny, Sweet Mystery by Nick Drake and Your Love by Joan Armatrading - but they're all her own. Her songs rank among the finest of their genre, and deserve recognition."
Living Tradition (Scotland) - Grem Devlin March 08
"You only have to listen to tracks such as Dreamers, Danni and Your Magesty to realise why Lorraine is regarded as one the finest singer-songwriters in Britain today. She just has that knack of writing a wonderous lyric and also has the ability to convey the songs meaning to the listener in such a way as to tease your every emotion."
Maverick (UK) March 08.
"Her outstanding voice, given great scope by her tender song writing is so unique that to attempt to describe it is almost a futile task. Her suble vibratio is both fragile and powerful at the same time, investing every word, every syllable with an exceptional emotive power. Not to be missed."
(TD) Propaganda (“Proper Distribution” magazine) (UK) '08
“What makes Lorraine Jordan so acclaimed as a singer-songwriter is the contrast of her influences. She takes Celtic folk and presents it in her own way that takes from a wide range of genres. She modernises her music with a striking powerful voice that makes her stand out from the average singer-songwriter, winning her critical acclaim from a wide range of sources. What is surely amazing is that her musicians harmonise with her, not the other way round, and her voice is the conductor …truly memorable...”
Irish World (Niall Cunningham) (Ireland) '08
"Lorraine Jordan is undoubtedly one of the finest and most talented folk singer-songwriters in Britain.
Folk North West (UK) (Lewis Jones, Aug 07)
"Glorious voice…striking…dynamic…hers is a voice for the ages" Sing Out (USA)
"This Big Feeling oozes quality.." Rock N'Reel (England)
"This Big Feeling has it all: faultless compositions, talented musicians and strong arrangements all commanded by the voice of Celtic soul." www.folking.com (England)
"She is ever more welcome and eagerly awaited." Messaggero Venuto (Friuli/Italy)
“On first hearing, you’d think Lorraine Jordan is all heart and rhythm. Her songs, her playing, her singing are simply infectious. Listen again and her sharp-edged intelligence and clear-eyed perceptions become apparent. There’s structure there, too, but the bones don’t show because we’re so swept up in the emotion. There we are again, back to the heart.”
Marilyn Rea-Beyer, Music Director, WUMB Folk Radio (Boston, USA)
“This Big Feeling is a masterful blending of the best elements of contemporary and traditional Celtic music, tied with ribbons of harmony, brought from a soul steeped in generations of musical excellence.”
New England Entertainment Digest (USA)
