Niamh Dunne
Album: Portraits
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.niamhdunne.com

"Portraits" is the debut solo album by one of Ireland's premier young singers, Limerick's Niamh Dunne. Not that Niamh is any stranger to the recording studio, having recorded several albums with the band Beoga, who are in the vanguard of new Irish traditional bands. Their album "The Incident"was shortlisted for a Grammy Award in 2009.

Niamh has also recorded an album, "Legacy" with her father, the renowned Limerick piper Mickey Dunne and her sister Brid.

Niamh is both a superb singer and a classically-trained violin player. She has been playing the violin since the age of four and has learned her music from her father. Indeed, her family have a long tradition of playing music, going back for generations. The Dunnes were travelling musicians who played at events such as country fairs and markets, so music is in Niamh's genes. With such a musical heritage it was inevitable that Niamh would become a musician and, on the strength of this album, she has clearly chosen the right career path.

Produced by talented multi-instrumentalist [and fellow member of Beoga] Sean Og Graham, "Portraits" is a delightful album consisting of both traditional and contemporary material. The traditional songs reflect the rich musical heritage of Niamh's home City of Limerick.

The album gets off to a great start with "Ballyneety's Walls" which depicts a celebrated event in 1690, during the Siege of Limerick, when Sarsfield and his men blew up English arms and ammunition at the aforementioned Walls. Niamh's lovely voice soars over an acoustic arrangement which features some great banjo from Damien O'Kane. A great start to the album.

Several of the traditional songs deal with the theme of separation. The first of these is "Beauty of Limerick", a gorgeous 19th century song about a man who pines for his lover back home in Limerick. Beautifully sung, the song features superb guitar and banjo from Sean and some wonderfully atmospheric fiddle from Niamh.

The theme of separation continues into "Bonny Woodhall", in which a soldier has to leave his love to go to war, where he is injured. Again, Niamh's expressive voice is complemented by a simple but effective accompaniment of guitar and accordion from Sean.

Another Limerick song "Cailin Rua" deals with separation and loss caused by war from the woman's point of view. It's a gorgeous song, with a shimmering musical setting, featuring an imaginative arrangement of bouzouki [Sean], cello [Kate Ellis] and harp [Caitriona McKay] acting as a perfect foil to Niamh's stunning vocals. Wonderful stuff.

The last traditional song is "Jimmy mo Mhile Stor", a lovely ballad which features a delightful duet between Niamh's vocals and Sean's liquid guitar playing.

Of the contemporary songs, two will, no doubt, be familiar to most listeners. These are by folk-rock legend Richard Thompson ["Strange Affair"] and Joe South ["The Games People Play"]. Niamh's interpretation of the former is one of the best versions of this excellent song [which is based on a Sufi poem] that I have heard. Niamh's vocals and aching fiddle solo perfectly suit the feeling of longing which permeates the lyrics.

As for "The Games People Play", this has been covered by many singers [ heck, even Tom Jones and some contestants from The Voice sang it last night on the telly !] but Niamh manages to stamp her own personality on this familiar song, which features Cathal Hayden on fiddle and which adds an original twist.

The other original songs are by John Spillane ["Eist do Bheal"], Sean McCarthy ["Shanagolden"], Barry Kerr ["When Autumn Comes"] and Joe Dolan ["Foxy Devil"].

"Shanagolden" is an excellent song written in a traditional style and which, poignantly, features Niamh's dad, Mickey, on pipes. "When Autumn Comes" is another cracking song, which features its writer, Barry Kerr, on low whistle.

"Foxy Devil" by Joe Dolan is a rather chilling song about the effects of alcohol addiction and features some exquisite dobro playing by Richard Nelson which complements the sombre nature of the lyrics.

In conclusion, this is a really excellent album from a highly accomplished singer and musician. As related above, Niamh carries with her a rich musical heritage and this shines through in the quality of the music. The album has clearly be made with a great deal of respect and affection for the culture and tradition of her home in Limerick. It comes highly recommended.

Peter Cowley