Album Reviews
Putting it all into clear perspective ... (October 10, 2009)
There’s something about songwriters that originate from
Ireland – they have a precise view on life that calls it vagaries into
perspective and makes its absurdities even more obvious. Colum Sands is one of
those. Not only does he write a blissful tune he adds intuitive lyrics that
punch a hole in your emotions and create images to make us aware.
With a long pedigree of recording excellence, Colum presents
his seventh solo album, ‘Look Where I’ve Ended Up Now’. This is a perfect
gathering of songs inspired by experience and image from the far reaches of the
world and the closeness of your own front yard. And it shows that emotions that
fire the soul from those disparate places are often so alike.
 The title track ‘Look
Where I’ve Ended Up Now’ has lines that put it all into clear perspective: “I keep meeting people who talk to
themselves with things hanging out of their ear.” I’m sure that I can hear
thousands crying: “That’s it! I will never use an earpiece again.” And how
about: “Remote controllers all over the
house and we have not the remotest control, on the ones we went and elected,
the power has gone straight to their heads. There’s money for weapons and war
games and nothing for hospital beds.” Now that hits the spot.
Colum’s songs can make you think, some make you laugh,
others prompt a rueful smile, and then again some of them make you cry. These
are not just sad songs - they are songs with depth, longing, understanding
beyond the superficial, and those with downright powerful emotion. ‘Fred
Jordan’s Boots’ is one of those. The story is full of depth with lyrics to die
for and Colum’s delivery is exactly what it needs. ‘Too Loud’ is a pithy anthem
quietly raging against the increasing noise volume that surrounds our daily
life. More especially this takes a deserved swipe at the so-called music that
pervades shops, restaurants and even your own car when the one next to you
vibrates with dangerous decibels of bass. ‘Song For Nuri’ tells a story of
oppression and resistance in the Negev Desert, and it’s heart-wrenching appeal draws
from yet another precise combination of Colum’s lyrics and his sensitive
delivery.
This album is intense, moving, insightful and memorable. This
is Colum Sands at his best joined by some fine musicians. These include Nuala
Curran (cello) Ursula Byrne (fiddle) Peter Benson (cornet, trombone) Gerard
Farrelly (piano) Brendan Monaghan (whistle) Anne Sands (bodhran, backing
vocals) Ben and Tom Sands, Sinead Stone (backing vocals) Vasken Solakian (oud)
Karen Tweed Accordion) Mark Wilson (drums, percussion).
Listen to ‘Look Where I’ve Ended Up Now’ - and love it for yourself.
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