From: petefyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 20 August 2012 17:24
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Sharon
Shannon review & Sleeve
SHARON
SHANNON & THE RTE CONCERT ORCHESTRA - Flying Circus (CACD2415)
Following her own yellow brick road (judging by her choice of
footwear) Sharon Shannon has chosen yet another?how shall we say ?obscure'
bedfellow in utilising the services of the RTE Concert Orchestra. This possibly
may not seem so odd if any of you have heard either of the two 1980's James
Last In Ireland recordings or Vladimir Cosma's "Kidnapped" (my favourite record
of all time!) where combining traditional instrumentation such as accordion
with the lush sounds of a full orchestra projects the much maligned squeeze box
to be the star attraction. Of course, in the hands of one as dextrous as Ms
Shannon it goes without saying that she makes the recording come to life with
sparkling arrangements wringing every last drop of ?soul' from those much used
reeds. The passion and enjoyment of performing with such august company i s
obvious and whether it's the effervescent opening track "Top Dog Gaffo" or the
sumptuous "April Magnolia" (composed by long time guitarist and collaborator
Jim Murray) you cannot help but be impressed by a ?folk' musician conquering
the ?classical' market without the likes of Bryn Terfel or Leslie Garrett to
muck everything up. Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to listen to Wallace &
Gromit at the Proms! www.sharonshannon.com
PETE FYFE