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Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire

31 May 02 - 11:50 PM (#720903)
Subject: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: michaelr

Just got her new CD, and I must say, the lady just keeps getting better! Having started out as a sort of Sandy Denny sound-alike, Niamh Parsons has really come into her own. Produced by long-time Martin Hayes partner Dennis Cahill, this album keeps accompaniments to a tasteful minimum, showcasing the singer's beautiful voice and wonderfully detailed, sean nos-style ornamentation.

The material ranges from well-known trad songs such as "Brokenhearted I'll Wander" of Dolores Keane fame and "My Lagan Love" to Bill Caddick's "Syracuse" and Andy Irvine's "West Coast of Clare", with the real eye-opener being a wrenching anti-war ballad by, of all people, Mark Knopfler, called "Done with Bonaparte".

For good measure, a couple of blazing instrumental guitar duos between Cahill and Graham Dunne are thrown into the mix. This is a GREAT album. Highly recommended!

Cheers,
Michael


01 Jun 02 - 01:03 PM (#721151)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: Lorraine

She's a geat performer too. She was touring through the Washington area a few eeks ago. Wonderful! But a sort of small audience. See her if you get a chance.

duplicate post deleted by mudelf ;-)


01 Jun 02 - 02:23 PM (#721175)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: toribw

Thanks for the capsule review, michaelr. Parsons is one of my favorite singers, and I have been looking forward to her new release. Lorraine, I've been on the lookout for her, hope I can make one of her shows sometime.


01 Jun 02 - 06:07 PM (#721263)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: Áine

Thanks so much, michaelr, for the review and the heads-up on her new CD! I'll echo what toribw said, Niamh is one of my top five favorite singers, and one of my fondest memories of the North Texas Irish Festival is seeing her perform on an open air stage for an extra long set. The act that was to follow her didn't show up, so this wonderful lady just kept singing -- to a very appreciative audience, I'll tell you. What a pro!

I'm definitely going to add this CD to my NP collection.

All the best, Áine


01 Jun 02 - 07:30 PM (#721299)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: michaelr

Now if she'd only come to California!

Michael


29 Oct 02 - 08:45 AM (#813504)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: GUEST,Lordgramsham

Niamh is coming to California in November - check the website www.niamhparsons.com


29 Oct 02 - 09:31 AM (#813540)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: Noreen

...and to answer the next question before it's asked, it's pronounced 'Neev'
(and she's wonderful!)


29 Oct 02 - 10:36 AM (#813583)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: GUEST,Geordie

What a great idea, to review new cds. I wish more people would do it. I really appreciate hearing about new stuff. Thanks so much.

Geordie


29 Oct 02 - 09:04 PM (#814086)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: michaelr

Thanks, Guest, for that link. However...

The Nov. 24 concert listed at Niamh's site (Freight and Salvage, which is in Berkeley, not San Francisco) is NOT mentioned in the venue's new mailer, which I received today. I have e-mailed Niamh for clarification.

Cheers,
Michael


30 Oct 02 - 08:56 PM (#814858)
Subject: RE: Review: Niamh Parsons - Heart's Desire
From: michaelr

Received email reply from N.P. today.

She will be appearing at The Plough and the Stars in San Francisco on Nov. 24.