ALBUM REVIEW - HOT PRESS (Ireland's legendary Music Magazine)
By Colm O’Hare, October 2014.
SHELTER - Independent debut album by Clare O'Riordan
RATING 7/10 - EXQUISITE DEBUT FROM CORK CHANTEUSE
Ireland has produced its share of female jazz singers. Many stick to the classic songbook, rather than offering original compositions. Cork based singer-songwriter (and piano player) Clare O’Riordan has gone against the grain, however, on a debut that oozes self-assurance.
Her voice and singing style are reminiscent of Joan Armatrading, with hints too of M People’s Heather Small (and to these ears), Julia Fordham, who had a late ‘80s hit with ‘Happy Ever After’. Backed by a crack troupe of musicians, the tunes are a nice mix of smooth jazz, light funk and piano-based balladry – all exquisitely performed and deftly arranged.
From the smoky, whispered ‘Home’ to the funky upbeat ‘Fire’ and the jaunty ‘Forever’ O’Riordan’s creations are deft, both melodically and lyrically. She’s versatile too. ‘Would you Risk? ‘ is a late night torch ballad, the Gospel inspired track smoulders and shimmers, while jazzy electric guitar backdrops ‘Wild and Free’. Elsewhere ‘Steal Down the Rainbow’ meanders and weaves like a Kate Bush song; ‘Out of Here’ has a Van Morrison-ish feel; and ‘How Lucky’ veers towareds Rickie Lee Jones territory. Clare truly hits the vocal heights on the sublime, sumptuous ballad ‘You’re The Man’…one of the many reasons to hear this excellent album. (Hot Press, P. 86, Vol:38. Issue: 17, Oct 01. 2014).
WHAT’S BEING SAID…..
- [Shelter] is full of beautiful songs, sung with that amazing voice of hers” (Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Late Date. RTE RADIO 1).
- “I’ve never stopped playing [this album] since I got it. Its absolutely brilliant, a cracking album” (Bill Mitton, AllFM 96.9, A6 FOLK AND BLUES ROAD, 24-8-14.mp3 (102.5MB) Manchester, UK).
“Beautiful smokey voice” (Cathal Murray, Weekend On One, RTE RADIO 1).
“Gorgeous dark soulful voice” ……….“superbly crafted originals” (Noel Casey, After Midnight, DUBLIN CITY FM….07/2014).
PRESS RELEASE EXCERPTS...
With her.. "gorgeous dark soulful voice".. Clare tells stories ..."superbly crafted originals" (Noel Casey, Dublin City FM)...from her recently released debut album Shelter - about love, life and wisdom. This broad spectrum of styles is highly characteristic of her approach to songwriting that is “to write music that defies definition and boundaries, but appeals to the universal soul”, says Clare.
Clare's distinctive vocal and piano sound permeate this eleven track album. 'Shelter' documents an inner journey poetically with warmth and sensitivity, and empathy also plays a significant role in Clare's songwriting. Songs on 'Shelter' examine the darkness on the edge of Clare's being; rather than shying away from her souls watchful eye, truth and wisdom reveal themselves as the constant…“Love never leaves, just sometimes it hides" (Shelter, Track 6).
THE RECORDING AND PRODUCTION OF SHELTER:
'Shelter' is an independent debut release by singer/songwriter Clare O’Riordan. The album was co-produced by Clare and Donnacha Moynihan and was recorded and mixed in the Rise Studio in Cork, Ireland. The album mastered by Ruairí O’Flaherty, string arrangements were written by Deirdre Moynihan.
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