Mary Dillon
Album: North
Label: Back Lane
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.marydillon.com

The Dillon Family of Dungiven ,County Londonderry are ,indeed, fortunate in having at least two great singers among their number. Anyone with more than a passing interest in Irish Folk Music [or Folk Music in general] will have heard of Cara ,who has achieved great international success as a solo artist .The other great singer in the family is Cara's older sister ,Mary , who has just released her first solo album "North".

However, this is not the beginning of Mary's musical career but the resumption of it. Between 1993 and 1997 Mary was a member of that excellent band Deanta ,with whom she made three albums . After Deanta ,Mary spent the next fifteen years raising her children and following her career as a teacher of English, occasionally making appearances as a guest vocalist on the recordings of her friends.

Now ,with the release of " North" ,Mary is resuming her musical career and the result is a resounding success ,as this is a superb album ,which I have been playing frequently. Mary is a magnificent vocalist, not for nothing was she twice winner of the All Ireland Singing Trophy by her mid-teens.

The album is, I believe , called "North" because Mary selected songs which have a link to the North of Ireland. Seven of the ten songs are traditional and the remaining three are original compositions , including one written by Mary herself, the excellent "The Boatman".

This album is a delight from start to finish. The arrangements are, in the most part, quite simple and understated ,which allows the purity and clarity of Mary's voice to come to the fore. It is worth noting that the album was produced by Mary together with Odhran Mullan and was recorded in her hometown of Dungiven.

The album gets off to a cracking start with a sprightly version of the traditional "When A Man's In Love" on which Mary is ably accompanied by Eamon McElholm on guitar .Simple but very effective. This is followed by another traditional song "Ballyronan Maid " on which younger sister Cara appears as backing vocalist. The track also features some sterling dobro playing by Ted Ponsonby ,which calls to mind the playing of the great Jerry Douglas [especially his work on the Transatlantic Sessions].A lovely, evocative track.

Whilst Mary may have only written one original song on this album, it is a real gem. "The Boatman" is an atmospheric piece about a woman who is searching for her lost boatman ,her love, and is hoping for his safe return. The song features some lovely fiddle from Clodagh Warnock .

It's back to traditional songs for "The Banks Of Claudy" ,which Mary carries off with great panache and which contains some tasty flute playing from Brendan Mulholland.

In the middle of the album there is a change of mood ,with three sad ,poignant songs . The first of these is the very beautiful " Edward On Lough Erne Shore" on which Mary's flawless vocals are backed by a string arrangement by Belfast composer Neil Martin who provides a gorgeous "bed of cellos". The sombre mood is also present in the song " John Condon" ,which is the tragic story of a fourteen year old boy from Ireland who was recruited to fight in World War 1 and who died a soldier in "Belgian fields in Picardy" .Again the backing is very simple, just acoustic guitar and mournful whistle but which is extremely effective. The third song in this group is "Knocknashee" ,which is an achingly sad ballad with just piano and cello [the latter played by Neil Martin, who also co-wrote the song].

A fuller arrangement is employed on " The Month of January" and which features some impassioned vocals from Mary.

The album closes with the traditional Irish lament "Ard Ti Chuain" which Mary sings unaccompanied [and beautifully].

I am writing this on the eve of Mary's appearance at Celtic Connections. On the strength of this album, I am sure that she will be warmly received.

I know it's only January but this album is already on my list of Albums of the Year.

Peter Cowley