CHRISTINE TOBIN – Sailing To Byzantium
Trail Belle Records TBR02
Christine Tobin (v, p on track 2); Liam Noble (p); Phil Robson (g); Gareth Lochrane (fl on tracks 3, 5, 9, 10, 13); Kate Shortt (clo); Dave Whitford (b) with special guest Gabriel Byrne (reads poems on 2, 6, 13)
Recorded 16th September & 18th December 2011
I have written previously about the consistency and quality of Tobin’s development, and this new album ranks right up there with her best.
Born out an invitation by the National Library of Ireland to perform as part of the celebration of their W.B. Yeats ‘Summer Wreath’ celebration, Tobin has developed the concept from the original four poems set to music to the thirteen glorious tracks on this CD.
No newcomer to setting music to poems, having previously tackled works by Paul Muldoon and Eva Salzman, the singer/songwriter has excelled in her aims, producing an album of true artistic integrity and worth with the music adding a new perception and depth to Yeats words.
Expanding her core band, albeit sans drums, with Kate Shortt’s cello and the ubiquitous Gareth Lochrane on flutes were an inspired touch, and bring a whole new array of colours to the arrangements. The use of ethereal electronic sounds of Robson’s guitar and arco cello on ‘The Wild Swans At Coole’ create a lush backdrop that is so much more than just a mood enhancing device, whilst elsewhere the guitarist provides lithe single lines throughout that compliment Christine’s voice at every turn.
The serenity and calm that is imbued in Christine’s arrangement and delivery of ‘The Memory Of Eva Goore-Booth and Contance Markievicz is quite breath-taking, with Shortt’s cello again making a most telling contribution. Mention should also be given to Liam Noble’s contribution at the piano, and his selfless playing that is totally at the service of the music as a whole (although it must be said he does get off a couple of cracking solos).
However picking out individual tracks is secondary to hearing how the album works as a whole, and that is how it is heard to its best effect. In one sitting where one can simply immerse oneself in the words and music of two true artists.
This is far and away the best album I have heard in 2012, a genre defying album that just gets better each and every time I hear it. Tobin has reached a stage in her career where she is totally at ease with her abilities and musical goals, and I for one look forward to hearing where she will next take us on her unique musical journey.
Reviewed January 2013
Trail Belle Records TBR02
Christine Tobin (v, p on track 2); Liam Noble (p); Phil Robson (g); Gareth Lochrane (fl on tracks 3, 5, 9, 10, 13); Kate Shortt (clo); Dave Whitford (b) with special guest Gabriel Byrne (reads poems on 2, 6, 13)
Recorded 16th September & 18th December 2011
I have written previously about the consistency and quality of Tobin’s development, and this new album ranks right up there with her best.
Born out an invitation by the National Library of Ireland to perform as part of the celebration of their W.B. Yeats ‘Summer Wreath’ celebration, Tobin has developed the concept from the original four poems set to music to the thirteen glorious tracks on this CD.
No newcomer to setting music to poems, having previously tackled works by Paul Muldoon and Eva Salzman, the singer/songwriter has excelled in her aims, producing an album of true artistic integrity and worth with the music adding a new perception and depth to Yeats words.
Expanding her core band, albeit sans drums, with Kate Shortt’s cello and the ubiquitous Gareth Lochrane on flutes were an inspired touch, and bring a whole new array of colours to the arrangements. The use of ethereal electronic sounds of Robson’s guitar and arco cello on ‘The Wild Swans At Coole’ create a lush backdrop that is so much more than just a mood enhancing device, whilst elsewhere the guitarist provides lithe single lines throughout that compliment Christine’s voice at every turn.
The serenity and calm that is imbued in Christine’s arrangement and delivery of ‘The Memory Of Eva Goore-Booth and Contance Markievicz is quite breath-taking, with Shortt’s cello again making a most telling contribution. Mention should also be given to Liam Noble’s contribution at the piano, and his selfless playing that is totally at the service of the music as a whole (although it must be said he does get off a couple of cracking solos).
However picking out individual tracks is secondary to hearing how the album works as a whole, and that is how it is heard to its best effect. In one sitting where one can simply immerse oneself in the words and music of two true artists.
This is far and away the best album I have heard in 2012, a genre defying album that just gets better each and every time I hear it. Tobin has reached a stage in her career where she is totally at ease with her abilities and musical goals, and I for one look forward to hearing where she will next take us on her unique musical journey.
Reviewed January 2013