James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning
by Tara McEvoy
published: 7 / 4 / 2011
Label:
Believe Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Superbly understated debut album from Dublin-based singer-songwriter, James Vincent McMorrow
Dublin’s softly-spoken sweetheart, James Vincent McMorrow, is back with an album that doesn’t so much slap you in the face and make you sit up and listen, as wins over your heart one track at a time. From the enchanting opener ‘If I Had A Boat’ to the closing ‘Early in The Morning, I’ll Come Calling’, it’s clear that you’re in the presence of a force to be reckoned with. Wistful, nostalgic, bittersweet, the songs are enhanced by their sheer simplicity – the singer’s voice has nothing to hide behind, and, with a voice as beautiful as this, it would be a crime indeed to hide it. It’s true that folk has seen somewhat of a resurgence in recent years with the success of acts such as Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling and Bon Iver, yet what strikes a listener here is that McMorrow’s sound is so intrinsically natural, stripped of any pretence, pared down and soul-exposing; he’s certainly not jumping on any bandwagons, rather sticking to his roots and offering up an album that sounds all the better for it. Among the highlights are the liltingly uplifting ‘Sparrow and the Wolf’ and the achingly moving ‘This Old Dark Machine’. With strummed chords as soft and gentle as an Irish mist, it’s clear that McMorrow certainly has the gift of the gab, too – he weaves a compelling, engaging narrative, building upon a tradition of storytelling to produce intriguing results. ‘Early in the Morning’ signifies McMorrow as a true talent, who, with any justice, won’t become lost among the deluge of second rate singer songwriters currently flooding the genre.
Track Listing:-
1 If I Had A Boat2 Hear The Noise That Moves So Fast And Low
3 Sparrow & The Wolf
4 Breaking Hearts
5 We Don't Eat
6 This Old Dark Machine
7 Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree
8 Down The Burning Ropes
9 From The Woods!!
10 And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop
11 Early In The Morning, I'll Come Calling
Label Links:-
http://www.believerecordings.com/https://plus.google.com/102041714624598281307/posts
https://www.facebook.com/believerecordingsuk
https://www.youtube.com/user/believerecordingsuk
https://twitter.com/believercrdings
Have a Listen:-
bandcamp
reviews |
If I Had a Boat (2010) |
Distinctive and endearing folk on new EP from young Irish singer-songwriter, James Vincent McMorrow |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart