LIAM MERRIMAN & EOIN O'MEACHAIR
The Birds Never Cease
Philippe Cousin
Waterford is said to be the oldest town in Ireland. The music and folk scene here is thriving and the ghost of the famous folk-singer Liam Clancy, who lived here, is never far away.
Liam Merriman and Eoin O'Meachair hail from the town. The former is a highly sought after singer-songwriter with four albums to his credit. As for his partner Eoin, he is a former member of the band Caladh Nua with whom he recorded three albums between 2009 and 2014.
The two of them recorded The Birds Never Cease, an album of 14 tracks including thirteen songs. Liam is a particularly prolific songwriter as nine of the songs are by him.
The set is a mix of classic ballads: Crazy Man Michael by the British Richard Thompson or Can't Help But Wonder I'm Bound by the American Tom Paxton. And then how can we not mention Summer Day Reflection Song, a beautiful song by the Scotsman Donovan.
Liam's voice quietly asserts itself on Dead Man's Trail or Joanne. The interpretation of the traditional emigration ballad Streams Of Bunclody is particularly endearing while Eoin's multi-instrumentalist talents shine on The Heather Blazing, subtly mixing Irish and American styles.
As the duo travelled to Nashville to record this album, they called on four local musicians to assist them in their work.
Throughout the songs, you'll find images of Irish culture, of hills and valleys, of gold and silver, and the scent of a wood fire to tint your dreams.
An album full of restraint and discretion which is nonetheless very endearing.
Three Rivers Records LEOM00005 - lmerriman3rivers@hotmail.com