Conor Doherty
Album: The Savage And The Tender
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://conordohertymusic.com/

I've probably said it before, but it is worth repeating, one of the joys of doing these reviews is discovering acts that I may not have encountered otherwise.

One such artist is Conor Doherty, originally from Derry City, but now based in London. Doherty has been steadily building up a reputation based on his live performances and is now aiming to build on that reputation with his debut album

Compiling an album of songs that are already well known is always a risky proposition as there is a danger that the listening public will compare the songs with their own favourite versions. Fortunately, in The Savage And The Tender, Conor Doherty has used his own arrangements to create songs and tunes that are recognisably in his own style whilst still retaining a sense of familiarity to their traditional roots.

Most of the tracks on The Savage And The Tender are drawn from the English, Scottish and Irish traditions and run the gamut of the usual subject matter for songs of this ilk. The sea makes an appearance in Sir Patrick Spens and Lord Franklin. The classic murder Ballad Bruton Town makes is included and Little Musgrave is a variation on the well known Matty Groves.

One thing that impressed me with The Savage And The Tender is Conor's instrument selection on the album, he is a very good guitar player and the use of an acoustic guitar on the songs means that the instrumental tracks do not overwhelm the vocals. There are, however, two instrumental tracks on the album where electricity is given its head. King Of The Pipers is a traditional Irish jig that Conor learned from an Altan recording. The other is, for me, one of the stand out tracks on the album, Chetvorno Horo is a Bulgarian Circle dance that Conor was taught by the Hungarian musician Arany Zoltan.

The Savage And The Tender does dip into slightly more contemporary songs with two excellent cover versions. Firstly, Annie Briggs' Go Your Way and secondly Bob Dylan's Boots Of Spanish Leather.

If you are a fan of Traditional Folk then you won't go far wrong with this album, The Savage And The Tender is a great introduction to the work of Conor Doherty, an album that has been a pleasure to listen to and I look forward to hearing more from Conor in the future.

Dave Chamberlain