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Album Reviews
Maura O'Connell – ‘Naked With Friends’ (July 25, 2009)
The latest
album from Maura O’Connell is ample evidence for anyone that listens how
emotive and powerful the unaccompanied human voice can be. ‘Naked With Friends’
is just that – naked voices without adornment - not simply an unaccompanied verse or
two but 13 songs without an instrument in sight. And if you need to find a
source to re-charge your batteries or relish a quiet moment to bathe your ears
in sound this is it.
‘Naked With
Friends’ features O'Connell singing solo and in the company of an impressive
array of superb exponents of the vocal art. Each additional singer is credited
as a ‘friend’ and it shows through the sheer emotion and pleasure that weaves
through every song. Maura’s ‘friends’ include Kate Rusby, Dolly Parton, Alison
Krauss, Paul Brady, Mary Black, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott,
Aoife O'Donovan, Sarah Dugas, Mairéad Ní Mhaorigh, Moya Brennan, Liam Bradley,
Declan O'Rourke, and Áine Derrane.
The styles
and themes of the songs themselves range far and wide – there’s ‘The Bright
Blue Rose’ with Dolly Parton and Kate Rusby, along with The Settles Connection
choir. A wonderful version of ‘The Blacksmith’ delivered as a duet with Tim O’Brien and
‘I Know My Love’ with harmonies from Mairéad Ní Mhaorigh, Moya Brennan and Mary
Black. There’s also Maura’s solo of Joan Armatrading's 'The Weakness In Me’ –
the best version I’ve heard in many years.
The album
comprises five traditional songs in English and Irish, as well as compositions by
Jimmy McCarthy, Cheryl Wheeler, Darrell Scott, Rhonda Jo Fleming and Janis Ian,
Joan Armatrading, Elvis Costello and Holly Near – and Scottish poet Robert
Burns.
Naked With
Friends is pure and unembellished – nothing more or less than the
songs – and some striking vocals.
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