Kate O'Callaghan
Album: Feel/Young Hearts Run Free
Label: Andromeda Artisans
Tracks: 2
Website: http://www.kateocallaghan.com

Dublin born songbird now living in Donegal continues to bring emotive vocals, as evidenced on "Wells Run Dry" 2013 EP release "To You" which took the listener along part's of the 53 mile footpath across Somerset and Devon known as 'The Coleridge Way' by using an excerpt from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Samuel Coleridge Taylor) in the chorus. A path more closely examined by Ange Hardy on this year's Esteesee.

Kate's formidable interpretational and songwriting skills both on display with double A sided single "Feel"/"Young Hearts Run Free". Kate's cover of Young Hearts in acoustic form almost unrecognisable from the 1976 No.2 hit for Candi Staton, the upbeat feel to the original almost hiding the truth in escaping a strenuous relationship. Kate's rendition with the plaintiff start "What's the use" strips the lyric back to the core, bringing to fore living with a difficult partner further emphasised in her delicate vocal in closing refrain "I Don't Love".

"Feel" taken from 2013 album "The Still Beyond", gained much plaudit earlier at Fatea. A much jazzier affair than "Young Hearts" with a full band lending sympathetic accompaniment, we find Kate yearning for the touch of a former love while recalling that person's life.

First glance of Kate's work has been an encouraging find, it will not be long before taking second listen.

Tony Wilding