Thanks to Tim Carroll at Folkwords for this, the first review of Whorls. http://www.folkwords.com/folkwordsreviews_97063.html
Whorls’ by Enda Reilly – blending Yeats’ powerful, searching poetry with emotive music
“Across the years, the poems of W.B. Yeats have been interpreted and performed in many ways by numerous artists through the spoken word, drama and music. There is, to my mind, one performer that stands out, blending Yeats’ powerful, searching poetry with emotive music and song … that’s Irish musician and composer Enda Reilly. His latest album, ‘Whorls’ covers both instantly recognised treasures and little remembered gems from Ireland’s premier poet and follows Reilly’s quite stunning album ‘Arise And Go’.
On ‘Whorls’ we are treated to Reilly’s spectacular vision and understanding of Yeats’ work as he takes these poems into another dimension and creates something inspirational that’s altogether wonderful. From the supremely reflective ‘The Wild Swans at Coole’ through the gentle entreaty of ‘He Wishes For The Cloths of Heaven’ to the words of caution and wisdom in ‘Down By the Salley Gardens’ and the mysterious twilight of ‘The Stolen Child’ this album is an absolute delight.
Throughout ‘Whorls’ it’s clear you’re listening to a master at work, who combines a fine understanding of Yeats’ poetry with a tender respect for their messages, with songs delivered in English and Irish Gaelic, which whether you understand the words or not, offer a haunting otherworldly quality. I have the distinct feeling that could William Butler hear Reilly’s work he would thoroughly approve.
On ‘Whorls’ the lyrics are by W.B. Yeats, translations to Irish Gaelic by Gabriel Rosenstock, the music is composed and performed by Enda Reilly, except ‘Down By The Salley Gardens’, traditional arrangement by Enda Reilly. Find Enda Reilly and his work here: www.endareilly.com”
So I’m glad to have gotten another review and it’s nice to have it in the Irish media. Here’s the review the Irish Times gave the new album. Quite different from the Folkwords review.
“Skirting on the margins of the Dublin music scene is no bad place to be, particularly if you use that time to tease out the finer points of your musical identity. Enda Reilly has previously collaborated with poet Stephen James Smith. Now, with his second solo collection, he’s unveiling a raft of his own compositions, mostly, as the title suggests, in Irish. Reilly’s style is distinctly middle of the road, but his wide listening interests seep through in intriguing ways. The edgy strings and freewheeling arcs of the instrumental Jive Joni, complete with Keith Jarrett-like over-hums, and the scat vocals on Bealtaine hint at an ear keenly tuned to jazz inflections. Guest vocals from Aoife Scott on Do Mhuirnín Ó broaden the light spectrum further. The only question is why Reilly chose such a pedantic title; the message is so much more than the medium here. endareilly.com” Siobhán Long.
Delighted to have gotten the first review of the new album from Folkwords.
Check out the Folkwords Website too !
Singer-songwriter Enda Reilly is an artist that has always walked a singular path of expression. Pouring spirit and emotion into music and songs or collaborations with other artist to combine music and spoken enda-reilly-New-Songs-In-Irish-word, he has long-celebrated Irish tradition, music and verse. Now there’s a new album to savour, Enda, who writes in both Irish and English, has released ‘Amhráin Nua i nGaeilge’ or for those of us without the gift of Gaeilge,’New Songs In Irish’.
All the songs on this album are in the Irish language, which even if you fail to understand the meaning, detracts not one jot from the enjoyment. Indeed, there’s a haunting magic at work throughout that engages at an ancient, primal level. There’s a unique soundscape, where not understanding the content only increases the depth of enjoyment. The lilting ‘An Fáinleog’ slides softly into ‘Mol an Aimsir’, sparkling melodies carry ‘An Nasc Nua’ and ‘Cur an Long ag Seol’, while ‘Do Mhuirnín Ó’ with Aoife Scott holds simple splendour. The album delivers a wide breadth of expression – the infectious hook of ‘Bealtaine’, the longing ‘Dónal Ná Fág 2013’ and the soft understanding of ‘Éireoidh Grian’.
This collection is primarily written by Enda with the help of words to ‘Éireoidh Grian’ from Gabriel Rosenstock, ‘Ag Ól Ag Ól Ag An Garbhóg’ co-written with Pearse McGloughlin and ‘Do Mhuirnín Ó’ written with Aisling Kavanagh. Alongside Enda Reilly (vocals, acoustic guitar, lap steel, harmonica, fiddle, bass) on selected tracks are Gary Raymond (percussion) Eimear Lynch (fiddle) Cathy McEvoy (fiddle) Christophe Capewell (fiddles, accordion) Tim Hart (whistles) Aoiffe Scott (vocals) Pearse McGloughlin (vocals, guitar) and Mossy Nolan (mandolin).
Whether or not you possess the Gaeilge, ‘Amhráin Nua i nGaeilge’ will tempt you to engage with this most lyrical and expressive language, which has the oldest vernacular literature in Western Europe. The album is available through Enda’s website: www.endareilly.com where you will also find the lyrics in both Irish and English.
Reviewer: Tim Carroll
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