Friday, 31 January 2014

Sonny Condell - Swallows and Farms



Echo Again

This is very much a solo project, Sonny Condell [excusing the paradox of mentioning he is one half of the wonderful duo Tír na nÓg] performing everything on the album, from harmonica to fiddle to flute, and of course acoustic guitar and singing. As I mentioned in my review of Leo O’Kelly’s latest here, and thus repeated again as a compliment, one hears echoes of Tír na nÓg and thus there is the double pleasure of nostalgic as well as contemporary appreciation.

The songs on Condell’s album are all folk-based - no layering with electronic effects: just the harmonies he structures there of himself. It is a beautiful collection, essentially introspective lyrically and sweetly sung and performed at a calming pace. It might seem scant attention to not undertake my usual walk through the tracks, but I have listened twice today and there is a genuine holistic sound to this album, the clear nuances there for the hearing, and I commend you to experience this for yourself rather than my delineating these [though I can’t avoid signposting the most Tír na nÓg-sounding track which is the gorgeous You In Yellow]

Swallows and Farms is compelling in its simple musical excellence. Try and buy here, though the site currently states it is out of stock. Perhaps a large request will prompt its quick return.

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