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LASAIRFHÍONA NÍ CHONAOLA
An Raicín Álainn
LCN001CD
To get the pronunciation out of the way, 'An rack-keen ah-lin' is the debut album of 'Lah-sah-reena Nee Huneeluh'. Practice it a few times as it's a name you'll be hearing more of. An Irish Times plaudit for her contribution to Lights In The Dark, a collection of Irish sacred songs released in 1998, brought Lasairfhíona to the public eye. Irish TV and radio exposure followed, complemented by Italian and American awards for this album, released last summer.
Steeped in the tradition of sean nós (old style) singing from her birthplace of Inishere in the Aran Isles, her style nevertheless brings a fresh edge of modernity to a broad range of songs from the title track, learnt from her grandmother, to her own atmospheric spoken-word piece Oileán na Teiscinne. Unsophisticated in the best sense of natural, without self-conscious effort or superfluous ornamentation, Lasairfhíona's voice translates the Gaelic into a universal language that transcends the need for lyrical understanding.
A role call of some of Ireland's finest musicians including Máire Breatnach (fiddle, viola, piano), Mary Bergin (whistles), Pat Hargan (guitar) and Johnny McDonagh (bodhrán) provides the perfect vehicle for her emotional, ethereal voice. Listen to this album and you hear a pure breath of everything that is beautiful about Ireland.
Mel McClellan - June 2003
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Great voice, good selection. My family's maintained a backwards link with Irish trad ever since leaving for Nova Scotia in the 1760s. This album went over well with all of them! She's got a playful, clear, and -- well -- pretty, voice. The accompaniment is modest and gives highlight to her singing. The only downpoint I find is the poem -- it breaks the playful mood. Otherwise, I dig.
Jake McMurrough, Storrs, Connecticut (US)
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Folk & Acoustic
