James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had a Boat

  by Tara McEvoy

published: 17 / 12 / 2010

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Review

2010 has been a vintage year for Irish talent, with acts like Lisa Hannigan, Villagers, and the man behind ‘If I Had a Boat’ coming into their own. On this, the latest notable offering from the Emerald Isle, James Vincent McMorrow channels songwriters such as Damien Rice, Belfast’s Captain Cameron, and even those from further afield, such as Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy or Bon Iver, never losing his own distinctive style. This is no mean feat for such a singer – at times one may think that the market of warblers with guitars is oversaturated at best, yet McMorrow offers a refreshing take on folk, simultaneously revitalising the genre and creating a timeless sound. ‘If I Had a Boat’ aches with an earnest tenderness, a sense of sorrow, and an endearing warmth. The opening title track is a work of sparing beauty, yet the following 'This Old Dark Machine' is doubtlessly the best track, containing shades of European folk music, McMorrow’s vocals drifting over guitar chords, the resemblance to a certain Paolo Nutini almost uncanny in places. Both ‘From the Woods’ and ‘Like the River’ show the singer’s versatility – stripped back to an eight track, his music still flourishes, recalling the work of Alela Diane. 'If I Had a Boat' marks the emergence of a bright new star not only on a national, but on an international folk scene, and the four tracks here will have you yearning for more.

Track Listing:-

1 If I Had A Boat
2 This Old Dark Machine
3 From The Woods (8 Track Demo)
4 Like The River (8 Track Demo)

Have a Listen:-