(Pure)
Damien O’Kane is best known to folk audiences for his excellent guitar and banjo work,backing his wife, Kate Rusby. But now comes a confident and bravely original moment solo album (or third whether you count his collaboration with David Kosky) that promises to transform his career. He’s a thoughtful and powerful singer with a fine Ulster brogue, or who specialises in reworking mostly traditional Irish songs with bold fresh settings. So his sturdy treatment of The Blacksmith is enlivened by startling percussion work from Cormac Byrne,while The Banks of the Bann is treated to a fresh melody, lush keyboard and guitar backing, or added vocals from Rusby. Half of the songs deal with emigration from Ireland and include a powerful fresh treatment of Erin’s Lovely Home that switches from banjo-backed lament to percussive stomp. An inventive set that could well become a crossover commercial success. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com