Search - John Doyle :: Evening Comes Early

Kendra M. (KendraM) from NASHVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 3/7/2008...

John Doyle is EXCELLENT, and although no other cds are listed on this site, he has a few other collaborative efforts out. He was with SOLAS prior to doing this solo cd of traditional Irish music with a modern twist. That is, there are only traditional acoustic instruments used on this album, but there is a definite more modern sound here that preserves rather than distorts these traditional tunes (which include some new and old Irish folk songs and some reels and jigs).

Supremely listenable! You will absolutely NOT tire of this one for quite a while. I've had it since it first came out in 2001, and I still listen to it fairly often.

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The "new" John Doyle

Darin Kelly | Philadelphia, PA USA | 06/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those accustomed to the rhythm-driven accompaniment style of one of the world's preeminent Irish guitarists will find surprises a-plenty in John Doyle's first solo offering. To be sure, Doyle provides his familiar but always stirring back-up duties on several tracks, including a dynamic turn with his fiddler-equal Liz Carroll, but what is most striking is Doyle's vocal ability, one too long set aside during his years with Solas. Doyle's voice is simple and controlled, but he possesses an innate ability to create drama and pathos without oversinging or seeming contrived. There are some memorable songs presented here, including "Crooked Jack," a denouncement of Irish workers in England during the 19th century (set to the same tune as "Star of the County Down"); "My Parents Reared Me Tenderly," about a Northern Irish lad who enlists in the Queen's army; and one each featuring Karan Casey and Doyle's own father Sean. Aside from the addition of Balladeer on John Doyle's resume, he also gives an impressive recorded debut as composer of several traditional tunes, on which he overdubs the melodies as well as accompaniment. The deftness and fluidity with which Doyle spins these melodies will perhaps be most surprising to listeners. We've all been enthralled with Doyle's accompaniment style for years, a trade he currently plies with the Eileen Ivers band. But with "Evening Comes Early," John Doyle has firmly established himself as a major triple threat in the world of Irish music."