The string ensemble appear for the third time on Blue Eyes and lift everything with their sensitive playing. Again, there are beautiful strings to embellish the sound and the talents of Lynda O’Connor (first violin), Paul O’Hanlon (second violin), Beth McNinch (viola), Gerald Peregrine (cello) add both depth and colour to the song.
The Devil Beguiled has the band in sway to a song that warns of falling to the charms of a deceitful force, reckless misfortune awaits… Sunshine In My Brain tells of waking from darkness and looking to live in the moment. Another renewal song after the dark tunnel of Covid, and a sweet sound. Alive Again channels the mystery of life that surrounds us daily the magic in the small details, all of which can help us feel alive in the moment, if we just observe the beauty and simplicity of mother nature. Song For Love is another easy melody, with strings arranged by Cormac Curran, as the love song plays out on a wave of pleasing piano and restrained timbre. Both songs are mid-tempo arrangements with gentle melodies and nice interplay among the musicians Laura Ryder (piano, Hammond organ), Alex McDonald (electric, baritone and nylon guitars, dobro), Shay Sweeney (drums) and Ronan Quinn (bass). It’s a paean to nature to show the way through the fog of confusion. Review by Paul McGee Blue Fish Diamond Frozen Stars On the Night Self Releaseįormed in 2016 by Jim Murphy, Blue Fish Diamond have released their second album and describe their sound as ‘indie folk.’ They may well take their name from the Blue Diamond Angelfish and the inspiration gained from its beauty and elegance is reflected in the sweet melodies created by this seven-piece Irish ensemble.įree is the opening song and asks for sweetness in life to be discovered once again – perhaps a plea for a return to normality after two years of Covid lockdown? Morning Star is another look for guidance in these restless times and for the light of tomorrow to be revealed on our chosen path. Well worth your time and a fine example of the talent that is thriving on the UK Folk circuit at the moment. Equally, Last Song, is a lovely reflection of childhood memories and Sarah’s mother the experience now reborn through her own child. The opening song, Sweetness and Pain, performed acappella, is a mellow introduction to what follows, with the unaccompanied, unhurried delivery that mirrors the dichotomy of sunshine and rain as a metaphor for life. He very creatively includes both loops and tap delays from the mixing desk as Sarah was performing the superb Derby Cathedral, and If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous. This live look-back through the looking glass was produced by Martin Stansbury who enhances the performance with his understated ability to serve the songs and provide plenty of room for Sarah to shine. Indeed, her last studio album, released in 2018, was produced by Michael Chapman and six of the songs included here are from that recording, If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous.
It’s a tribute to the recently departed and much revered musician, producer and songwriter. An accomplished musician and song writer, her skills on piano, acoustic and electric guitar are highlighted by this singular performance.Ī particularly affecting cover of the jazz standard, Autumn Leaves, (Kosma/Prévert), is a stand out song while another cover, Rabbit Hills (Michael Chapman), is beautifully performed on piano with the lyrics of lost love hanging poignantly in the air.
It’s a moment, captured in time, made special in the empty atmospherics of an old church building, with the walls seemingly reflecting the self-searching of the singer through these songs above life, love human-frailty and the magic of nature, time passing, and trying to grasp it all. Having seen the business from both sides of the fence has proven to be a powerful ally, and her writing reflects her life experiences in the fifteen tracks that are highlighted here. However, the album was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign, so in a way the project already had the blessing of Sarah’s core fan-base.īefore moving to Cornwall, in 2007, Sarah lived and worked in Dublin as a music journalist. Choosing a live setting, with no audience present to give encouragement and feedback, was a brave move. Covid lockdown had seen her touring plans disrupted, so like many other artists, Sarah took the decision to use the time creatively and revisited her earlier albums in order to reinterpret a selection of her most popular songs. This is the sixth solo album by singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid, and was recorded near to her Cornwall home in a local church. Sarah McQuaid The St Buryan Sessions Self Release
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