For Folks Sake – Heidi Talbot vs. Mary Dillon

For Folks Sake – Heidi Talbot vs. Mary Dillon

HEIDI TALBOT
Angels Without Wings
Navigator 2013

It’s rare for something rerr to emanate fae the Gorbals, but lo and behold, here’s a record recorded at Gorbals Sounds studios featuring the likes of Mark Knopfler and Jerry Douglas, who probably didn’t make the trip, as well as King Creosote, Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis, who mebbe did.
This is the fifth full length solo album from the Irish songstress, and it’s probably the most American sounding release so far, as a lot of the material is very countryish in feel. Although bearing in mind where country music comes from, it’s not a huge step. There are a couple of songs which stray from the template, like ‘Button Up’, and the more trad sounds of ‘Dearest Johnny’ but by and large, it’s straight down the middle modern folk, and all the better for it.

It just goes to show that all (!) you need are some good songs, great playing and the sweet vocals of Ms Talbot to make a cracking wee album. As well as the self written material, there’s a great song from the ever reliable Boo Hewerdine on ‘When The Roses Come Again‘, which features local boy Mark Knopfler.

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MARY DILLON
North
Black Lane Records 2013

Staying in the land of my fathers, here’s Mary Dillon in finest “I’ve got my own album to do” fasihon. She was formerly the lead singer in nineties folk band Déanta, alongside her younger (and better known) sister Cara Dillon, but has come back blinking into the limelight with this record of Irish folk songs, most from the pen of well known folie Trad. Arr.

And it’s a real delight. Ms Dillon has one of those pure and haunting voices that just seeps inside you, and set off with some delicate and thoughtful arrangements, it’s an absolute treat. There isn’t a bum note or a wasted moment here, whether she’s tackling a lament like ‘The Boatman’ or telling the tale of ‘John Condon’, a 14 year-old boy lost in the trenches during WW1.

If you’re looking for traditional Irish folk album, with clean production, beautiful vocals and some fabulous songs, then this would be a good place to start.

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