CD REVIEW - Brid Dower's "Comings and Goings" Ireland is well known for producing outstanding female vocalists: Mary and Francis Black, Maura O'Connell, Mary Dillon, Niamh Parson, and Karan Casey to name but a few. After listing to the Brid Dower CD, it is time to add the name of Brid Dower to that list.
Brid was born and raised in Waterford where she developed her love for singing. It was in Waterford where she performed regularly with Karan Casey (formerly lead singer in the supergroup Solas). After moving to Phoenix, Brid has performed with various groups, most notably the band Ashling. In spite of her success at doing up tempo pub music and Celtic rock, many people begged her to a CD of ballads. The result is absolutely stunning.
Brid has extraordinary voice and gives a special warmth to ballads. I have witnessed her to start singing at a seisiun and have the entire pub go completely silent as people stop to listen.
In putting together "Comings and Goings", Brid teamed up with Gerry O'Beirne of County Clare. Gerry has a well deserved reputation for being one of the finest guitar players anywhere as evidenced by his touring with Andy Stewart and performing with the band "Patrick Street". He is also a very well regarded song writer as is shown by the opening tract "The Shades of Gloria".
Gerry is only slightly less well known as arranger and record producer. Gerry is considered especially good at working with female vocalists. Last spring he worked with Maura O'Connell. His decision to work with Brid is just one indication of how good she is.
In addition to Gerry O'Beirn on guitar, there is an outstanding collection of musicians accompanying Brid: John Good on whistle and flute, Kevin Mauch on bass, Jerica Leathers on fiddle, Jimmy Peggie on upright bass, Billy Parker on mandolin, Don Charles on tenor banjo, Deb Gessner on conertina, Ryan Bowman on hand drum, and Steve Colby on bouzouki. "Comings and Goings" was recorded and mixed by Kyle Harris.
It is almost impossible to single out any particular track because the over all impact of this CD is marvelous.
1. The Shades of Gloria: Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Electric Upright Bass - Kevin Mauch Tin Whistle - John Good
2. The Nobleman's Wedding: Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Mandolin - Billy Parker, Violin - Jerica Leathers
3. Dark Inisheoghain: Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Tin Whistle - John Good, Upright bass - Jimmy Peggie
4. The Constant Lovers: Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Electric Upright Bass - Kevin Mauch, Tenor Banjo - Don Charles, Concertina - Deb Gessner
5. Fear an Bhata: Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Upright bass - Jimmy Peggie, Flute - John Good
6. A Stór Mo Chroí: unaccompanied.
7. The Man From Tralee: Guitars - Gerry O'Beirne, Fretless Bass- Kevin Mauch, Violins - Jerica Leathers, Hand drum - Ryan Bowman
8. Isle of St. Helena: Guitars - Gerry O'Beirne, Electric Upright Bass - Kevin Mauch, Mandolin - Billy Parker, Accordion - Deb Gessner, Tenor Banjo - Don Charles
9. Where Are You Tonight I Wonder? : Arranged - Bríd Dower, Gerry O'Beirne, Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Electric Upright Bass - Kevin Mauch, Flute - John Good
10. Bruach na Carraige Báine: 6- and 12-string Guitars & Ukulele - Gerry O'Beirne, Violin - Jerica Leathers, Electric Upright Bass - Kevin Mauch, Flute - John Good
11. The Orphan's Wedding: Guitar - Gerry O'Beirne, Upright bass - Jimmy Peggie, Bouzouki - Steve Colby
12. One I Love: unaccompanied:.
"Comings and Goings" will be released September 15th and should not be missed. For more information, send email to info@briddower.com, or send SASE to: 1424 E. Woodman Drive, Tempe AZ 85283 USA Web: www.briddower.com
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