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
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Deep Purple - =1
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
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