Search - Susan Mckeown :: Blackthorn: Irish Love Songs

Spare but not sparse: vocals more than music

John L Murphy | Los Angeles | 06/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Poised work from this veteran Irish-born, American-based singer. Songs are drawn from past traditions yet this album does not sound traditional, hovering instead between "world music, contemporary female vocals, and Irish-inspired (rather than Irish-bound) settings. Mixing her own voice with varied regional styles and musical support, McKeown's blend works best with she sings against Roisin Chambers' countervocals. or--as on the final and three strongest three tracks--innovative backing such as Basque musicians give (an immediately distinctive dirge-like medieval mood) or a Paul Simon/Graceland type of African fusion, or instrumental accompaniments that provide depth for her songs to sink into.



A whole album with the Basque musicians here occasionally featured would work well for McKeown. Heard on a few tracks here with bassist Lindsay Horner, who has backed McKeown on past albums, and other musicians, the sound still is generally more spacious and open, as unlike many other Irish singers, she prefers to understate the music rather than sing on top of it. Tom Munnelly's sleeve notes are superb, by the way, and credit too to the handsome graphics, the printing of lyrics in Irish alongside the English, and a classy sense of a production well polished without edging into slick pop or New Age vapors.



If you seek graceful female Irish vocals that are not sean-nos/old style, not swamped by layered synthesizers, free of reverb and echo and harps, eschewing leprechauns and elves, this may be a fine choice for you. It is not lulling, but its tnese moments are fewer than its placid ones. Still, the album does not put you to sleep! Hints more than hammers of instruments, the shifts in McKeown's voice, and the subtle but changing arrangements all attest to the care that's gone into "Blackthorn." Although the pace of the album does mean some of the earlier songs tend to blend into each other a bit too smoothly and blandly, overall this is an assured recording of the many shades of love won and lost."