MUIREANN Nic AMHLAOIBH  & IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Originally from Kerry, she was a member of the band Danú for thirteen years, singing and playing the flute. She has also released several solo albums, most recently Thar Toinn/Seaborne in 2020. Muireann is an acknowledged specialist in sean nós, the Irish form of the ballads. Growing up in West Kerry, she was immersed in a very rich cultural environment and this has had a major influence on her vocal art.

This time, with the help of Dónal O'Connor, Muireann and the Irish Chamber Orchestra have breathed new life into songs dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, taking these songs to a level rarely equalled.  Her deep voice is cradled by the classical orchestra in a superb presentation of twelve Irish songs. Both in tone and in extraordinary range, Muireann excels in a collaboration between the classical and the sean nós tradition.
While the voice is undoubtedly the mainstay of the album, it is supported by the orchestra, which performs songs arranged by six Irish composers: Cormac McCarthy, Linda Buckley, Paul Campbell, Sam Perkin, Niamh Varian Barry and Michael Keeney. She is joined by Dónal O'Connor on fiddle and harmonium, Mick O'Brien on uilleann pipes, Caitríona Frost on percussion, Aisling Ennis on harp and Cormac McCarthy on piano.
The rich tones and subtle colours that characterise these new arrangements make the project exceptionally valuable. From the beginning of the album with Róisín Dubh, magnified decades ago by Seán Ó Ríada, to the last note of An Chúilfhionn, the artistic level is fantastic.
A real gem.

Autoproduit MUNA005 - www.muireann.ie