PARSONS Niamh (feat. Graham Dunne)
The Old Simplicity

GLCD 1232

048248123228
Green Linnet
Irlanda

 

"In a voice filled with sweet melancholy and stately passion, Niamh Parsons sings traditional Irish songs, making ancient tales of love sound tender and immediate. A remarkable a cappella singer." - The New York Times

Irish singer Niamh Parsons brings us "ancient tales of love and war" on her powerful new album, The Old Simplicity (GLCD1232). Hailed for her "simply magnificent traditional singing" by Irish Music Magazine, Niamh has collected songs from both contemporary and traditional sources for the album, including originals by Linda Thompson, David Olney and Ron Kavanaugh. She teams again with guitarist Graham Dunne and producer Dennis Cahill, as on 2002's Heart's Desire (Green Linnet), named Celtic Album of the Year by the Association of Independent Music.

Niamh takes on themes of war, injustice, aging and of course, love with her forthright nature and earthy, "beautifully smoke tinged" voice (Hot Press). She notes that "songs of war are also often love songs - war creates situations where love is both found and lost." John Condon is a heart-breaking tale of the youngest Allied soldier to be killed in World War I. Blue Murder is by Scots/New Zealand songwriter Alistair Hulett, on asbestos mining conditions in Australia. The traditional Poor Irish Stranger has a beautiful new arrangement; and No Telling is a sweet love-song of two old-timers by Linda Thompson.

Cahill recorded the album in his Chicago hometown, and brought in some of the city's top talent: accordionist John Williams (Solas), fiddler Liz Knowles (Cherish the Ladies), singer Kat Eggleston (Bohola), jazz bassist Larry Grey (Ramsey Lewis) and gypsy-violin player Steve Gibons. Cahill, known for his duo with fiddler Martin Hayes, adds guitar and mandolin. And Graham Dunne contributes two lovely instrumentals to the recording.

Reviews For The Old Simplicity:

The Boston Herald - "Niamh Parsons celebrates the release of her sublime new album, The Old Simplicity with her great guitarist, Graham Dunne. This rare singer is both emotionally haunting and tonally as clear as crystal. She may not be the most famous Irish balladeer, but many feel she's the best." (Dan Gewertz)

The Washington Post - "The sorrow of Irishloneliness is preserved most potently in thecountry's music. In Niamh Parsons' bold, SandyDenny-like alto, their sadness becomes thelistener's happiness. Her new CD The OldSimplicity is a rich celebration of the fruits ofmelancholy." (Pamela Murray Winters)

Irish Voice - "Out with a new CD is one ofIreland’s most captivating voices, Niamh Parsons.The Old Simplicity is notable not only for herclear distinct singing style that goes down aswell as a velvety-smooth and earthy Guinness, butfor her penchant of picking great songs." (PaulKeating)

Boston Globe - "Over the past decade, Parsons has emerged asone of Ireland's premier traditional divas. Herdusky mezzo is a gorgeous ballad instrument,falling right between Mary Black's pristine purityand Dolores Keane's husky passion. She is right athome with both the contemporary songs shesprinkles amid the trad gems on her new CD, TheOld Simplicity. Whether singing about the humantoll of hard times; the "heroes that don't come;"or the ache of love lost, she always seems to bejust telling us her own story." (Scott Alarik)