Niamh ParsonsCountry of origin:Ireland Type of music generally:Traditional Irish music Status:Most recent release, The Old Simplicity (2006) See also:Niamh Parsons' site Comparisons:Sandy Denny, June Tabor Covers/own material:Mostly traditional General comments:Niamh Parsons has a lovely voice for traditional tunes. It is rich and evocative, and she has that Sandy Denny-like knack of singing the tunes in a way that makes the lyrics come to life. The arrangements are always lovely and not overdone, though not as stripped-down as some current traditional singers. She also does several songs a cappella on each album and they're always especially wonderful. I highly recommend her work to anyone who likes traditional Celtic and English music. (Neile) Comments about live performance:I heard her live once at a local pub several years ago and it was wonderful—her voice is beautifully impressive live. (Neile) Recommended first album:Blackbirds & Thrushes or In My Prime Recordings:
Loosely ConnectedRelease info:1992—Greentrax Records Availability:See Niamh Parsons' site Ecto priority:Recommended Comments:Tinkerman's Daughter" is an awe-inspiring song. I was negotiating the switchbacks on that lovely drive between Half-Moon-Bay and San Mateo (in the San Francisco Bay Area) when that song came on the radio, and Niamh's voice, the piano behind it, and the scenery on the windshield all reacted together to form an unforgetable experience; I just had to have that song! The rest of the album may or may not inspire everyone out there, but "Tinkerman's Daughter" is something worth a listening or two... while driving down highway 92 if you can manage it. :) Loosen UpAs Niamh Parsons & The Loose ConnectionsRelease info:1997—Green Linnett—GLCD 1167 Availability:Wide in U.S. Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Niamh Parsons—vocals, backing vocals Guest artists:Dee Moore—acoustic bass, fretless bass Produced by:Dee Moore Comments:Wow—this is for me a huge example of what a difference material makes. Here Niamh Parson is singing a collection of songs from contemporary folk songwriters (mostly Dee Moore's compositions but there's a Tom Waits songs and couple of others) and this music does nothing for me, and so the album as a whole doesn't do it for me. Niamh Parson's voice still shines in this context, but in all honesty, I don't like the material nearly as much as her traditional work, though it does give her a chance to show a lot of range. There's one particularly neo-traditional songs that I do enjoy, "Clohinne Winds" by Briege Murphy, but that's the only song I put this CD on for. This absolutely isn't my thing, though I still admire Niamh Parsons' vocal work. (Neile) Blackbirds & ThrushesRelease info:1999—Green Linnet—GLCD 1197 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans of traditional music Group members:Niamh Parsons—vocals Guest artists:Dee Moore—bass Produced by:Alan Whelan, Gavin Ralston, Niamh Parsons Comments:She has a lovely voice. The press compares her to Sandy Denny, and while she's not quite that amazing, her voice is rich and evocative and does rise above the crowd doing traditional music. Highly recommended if you like these songs—I adore them. These are rich rather than prettified versions. Somewhat like June Tabor vocally (but with better accompaniment). (Neile) In My PrimeRelease info:2000—Green Linnet—GLCD 1203 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans of traditional music Group members:Niamh Parsons—vocals, backing vocals, vocal drone (3) Guest artists:Graham Dunne—guitar (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11) Produced by:Niamh Parsons and Alan Whelan Comments:This particular disc has some really lovely songs, and a range of them from lively ones to heartbreaking ballads. I particularly like her versions of "In My Prime", "Green Grass It Grows Bonny". Hmm, I started to list nearly every song on this album. It's a good one. (Neile) Heart's DesireRelease info:2002—Green Linnet—GLCD1219 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended for fans of traditional music Group members:Niamh Parsons—vocals Guest artists:Graham Dunne—steel string guitar (2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13), nylon string guitar (4, 11, 14) Produced by:Dennis Cahill Comments:This is a nice collection of music and I adore her version of "My Lagan Love", but overall I prefer the material on Blackbirds & Thrushes and In My Prime. Anyone who likes Parsons work will enjoy this one, though. Her vocals here are gorgeous, as always. (Neile) Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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