BARRY KERR

He now presents Curlew’s Cry, a fifth album full of delicacy and sensitivity. An album that marks a departure from his previous records, which favoured instrumentals steeped in traditional music, returning instead to a more stripped-back folk sound, as this time we can hear ten original songs written by Barry himself or Gerry O’Beirne, another singer who produced this album.

Inspired by the melancholic cry of the curlew, and the rich folklore associated with this small wading bird of the wetlands, the album explores the themes of liminality and loss. Here, the curlew’s cry is evoked through the spellbinding lyrics and the sadness that permeates each of the songs.

It is a little strange that, for a flautist and piper, neither of these instruments features here. On the contrary, the instrumentation relies mainly on the guitar (O’Beirne and D. Hennessy) and the bouzouki (B. Kerr). And then there are the magnificent voices of Pauline Scanlon, Cathy Jordan and Síle Denvir, Barry’s partner. The result is a complex and delicate accompaniment that perfectly complements the warmth of Barry’s voice.
We discover little gems of sensitivity: ‘Of Sportsmen Bold’, inspired by the Ulster hunting tradition, or ‘Three Thousand Rivers Deep’ featuring C. Jordan. Two traditional songs, ‘The Snows They Melt The Soonest’ and ‘You Rambling Boys of Pleasure’, find their natural place amongst the other songs written by Barry and Gerry.
Despite its sombre tone and the atmosphere of sadness that sometimes emerges whilst listening, Curlew’s Cry is an introspective album that attempts to make sense of the troubled world around us. The themes explored here resonate with each of us.
Nostalgia, reflection, sensuality and sensitivity are just some of the terms that best characterise this superb album.

Autoproduit - www.barrykerr.com