Happy Out

Filtm go mr roimh an dlth-dhiosca rnua seo, Sgach Smh / Happy Out, Niamh N Charra, ceoltir de'n scoth go bhfuil an-chil bainte amach aici cheana fin, go h-irithe toisc an trimhse a chaith s le Riverdance. Ceoltir ildnach ilghnitheach , le sr-chumas ar an bhfidil agus ar an gconsairtn, maraon lena cuid amhrnaochta. T rimse leathan ceoil, idir sean is nua, le cloisint ar an dtaifeadadh seo. Bainig uilig taithneamh as. On this exciting album, Niamh N Charra showcases her impressive talent and versatility with a wide-ranging selection of tunes on fiddle and concertina, as well as songs in Irish and English. Following on from her first recording, n D Thaobh / From Both Sides issued some years ago, this new album displays a developed sense of musical confidence and maturity. She continues to explore and absorb repertoire from a variety of sources, through which she evokes a range of different moods and feelings in her performances. Perhaps echoing her time travelling throughout the world with Riverdance, Niamh crosses various musical boundaries and divides in selecting the material on this album. In addition to featuring a range of tunes from our own tradition, she has chosen from both the Galician and Cape Breton traditions. Contrasting with such a 'global' approach, she is also cognisant of the 'local', drawing from that famed area close to where she was born, Sliabh Luachra. Her composing skills are also evident through the inclusion of a number of her own fine tunes. Niamh's wide-ranging musicality is further exemplified through her singing of three songs, two in Irish and one in English. In particular, on 'S Fth Mo Bhuartha', she features her father, Eoin Carra, on zither. While this instrument is not Irish, it's harp-like sound adds very much to the song. Futhermore, the presence of father and daughter on this track underscores very much the role played by family in passing-on the tradition from one generation to the next. This album portrays a wide range of emotions and feelings through the diverse collection of tunes and songs that are featured. All are performed with confidence and sensitivity, as well as with a keen understanding of the tradition. The guest musicians add greatly to the recording, but it is Niamh herself who is very much centre-stage. Sgach Smh / Happy Out demonstrates how well she has succeeded in integrating the various different facets of her musical experiences and influences, and from which has blossomed her own very distinctive musical personality. I wish her every success. Matt Cranitch.