Early Folk songs during the '60s i.e. Sweeney's Men, The Johnstons, Emmet Spiceland etc. Later on Planxty had a large impact, as did De Dannan. But also Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Dan Fogleberg, etc. Oh and of course the wonderful Dick Gaughan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqBcSwk1yFo
Sounds Like
FROM IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE
Let me run a metaphoric game by you. If you had to describe an album and a singer as a food or drink, could you pick a menu to match any given artist? Well for me Niamh Parsons would be a full blooded Spanish Rioja, a deep rich wine, full of character, with a hint of iron behind a complex blend of experience and flavours.
Full grown adult material is always to be expected on a Niamh Parson’s album. She’s a singer who doesn’t need to compromise her integrity by selecting tracks that might get a bit of airtime, or that will appeal to one demographic or another. Her music like a good Rioja is for connoisseurs who know the singing tradition intimately.
SEAN LAFFEY
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Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne
Live At Fylde (Gramsham Records)
Here's an album reflecting in every way the sheer presence of, and unadorned gentle perfection of the totally exemplary performance given by, the gorgeous singer Niamh and guitarist Graham, her touring partner (I hesitate to use the word “accompanist”, for so integral - and integrated - is his contribution to the musical experience). Although neither Niamh nor Graham wastes a single note or nuance in their matchless renditions of predominantly traditional songs, there's never a feeling of perfunctory auto-pilot readthrough about their performances, instead we get a quality of stillness, a measured calm that in its very poise builds around it the space for the interpretations to breathe and grow (even the brisk tempo of Blackbirds And Thrushes enables a suitably breezy take on the song's carefree view of love without seeming unduly rushed). But words just cannot describe the rapturous effect on this listener of the definite highlights of this 50-minute set (which was recorded live at Fylde Folk Festival last year by Alistair Russell) - like One Morning In May, An Páistín Fionn, The Kilnamartyra Exile, Ron Kavana's The Men That God Made Mad (this one benefiting from a beautifully controlled instrumental coda, L'Intrada De L'Angestura) and Tom Waits' The Briar And The Rose (with some sublime extra vocal harmonies by guest Tony Gibbons). What matter if Niamh has recorded much of this material before, for the extra intensity of these live readings is palpable, not least in the expression of the fathomlessly deep musical and yes, spiritual bond between Niamh and Graham. I'm convinced that rarely if ever has such unassuming talent and musicianship - in just the one musician! - been so mesmerisingly at the service of a singer in this repertoire - and yet just take a listen to Graham's deftly virtuosic set of solo jigs literally stopping the show halfway through the album! Actually, I'm not entirely sure that the sequence presented on this album preserves the correct set-list running order (I'm willing to stand corrected on this however), but even if that's so then it's an extremely miniscule reservation on what is in every respect one of those hen's-teeth “would've given all to be there” live records (you can tell that by the ultra-enthusiastic reception Niamh and Graham get from the audience).
www.niamhparsons.com
David Kidman
www.netrhythms.com
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Hello Niamh, I'm flattered and honoured to get such a comment from a great singer like yourself... hope you're well and have lots of good gigs coming up.. all the best Bob
Every time that we listen & write music... play an instrument... dance... act in a play... or work in some audio/image/video engineering process... something is healing inside...
When we share it with friends... something is healing all over...
cada vez que escuchamos o escribimos musica... tocamos un instrumento... bailamos... o trabajamos en procesos de ingenieria de audio/imagen/video.... algo se sana por dentro...
Cuando lo compartimos con amigos... algo se sana en todas partes...
El Amor puede conducir... de manera simple... todo...
Hello from the amazing windy plains just outside Calgary , Alberta (weather subject to change on the 1/2 hour with out notification) Wonderful music in your space.Many discoveries made at your space, very nice indeed to be m8s.Cheers ! (mO:) moreno
In a act of Kindness endorphin levels are elevated in the Giver, the Receiver and the Observer, how nice is that.
"do not seek happiness .. but .. do rid your self of unhappiness = Zero Negative thoughts"
"Share knowledge ,it is a way to achieve immortality"
Fáilte, bheannaithe, mharthannach, mhomhar, mhin Fáilte chaithiseach, charthannach, chloir, cheart, chaoin Fáilte is fiche agus curim na , ceadta leo Ar nos an tuile sa sruth ata, m'fháilte romhat
Séafra Ó Ceallaigh, writer from the island of Ireland
Hello! Just wanted to drop in and let you know that pre-orders for my new jazz standards album "Bittersweet" are now taking place! The first 100 pre-orders will receive a signed and numbered copy! Release date is set for May 19th, but you will get your copy a few days earlier! Kate and I are very excited about the record, and we can't wait for you to hear it. Head over to www.bittersweetthealbum.com to pre-order! Thanks! ~Mark
Hope you are SURVIVING these crazy economic times! Enjoy our new video "Whiskey Tonight" and stop by our site for a FREE download of the new song. Yes, something for FREE. Cheers!
