Search - Susan Mckeown :: Sweet Liberty

Irish-born and New York-based singer Susan McKeown has made a name for herself over the last decade by interpreting Irish traditionals she's found through research or been taught by other musicians. Sometimes she can be a bit overambitious in her interpretations: thus we get a slightly disorienting version of the Irish song "Oró Mhíle Grá (A Thousand Times My Love)," which features McKeown fronting the Malian group Ensemble Tartit. Her lilting alto voice floats over the top of the African call and response and handclaps, but it's a noble experiment where the two styles don't match up. Better is the singer's collaboration with members of Mariachi Real de Mexico on "Eggs In Her Basket," where the strong waltz rhythm fuses the two traditions. Much of the rest of the album is beautifully understated Irish folk music driven with acoustic guitar, whistles, fiddle, and harmonium. With a voice as beautiful and strong as hers, one wonders why McKeown is not bigger name in the genre. -- Tad Hendrickson