Lumiere - My Dearest Dear

by Lisa Torem

published: 8 / 4 / 2013

Label: IRL Recordings
Format: CD

Breathtaking and extraordinary second album of folk covers from uplifting Irish duo, Lumiere

Review

After their successful self-titled debut and a host of local solo engagements and in support of Sinead O’Connor, stunning Dingle vocalists Eilis Kennedy and Pauline Scanlon of Lumiere have teamed up for follow up, 'My Dearest Dear', a CD boasting a host of surprises. On it, they sing traditional Irish songs about war, true love and country life with soaring vocals and profound emotion - several are sung in their native tongue. The title song immediately takes hold of the listeners by sending them into their endearing universe. ‘Bo Na Leathadhairce,’ AKA ‘The One Horned Cow’ loses nothing in translation as the duo provides an uplifting account of rural existence. Another ballad, which transcends translation, is ‘Caillin Deas Cruite Na Mbo,’ which means ‘The Pretty Maid Milking the Cows.’ The catchy refrain is flawless, harmonic magic. ‘The Silver Tassie’ is based on a much-loved reference to an iconic goblet and is also a poem by Robert Burns. The arrangement is more rhythmic than some of the others, providing a lively contrast. One of those aforementioned surprises is a Sandy Denny cover, ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes’, which is shared with the explosive Sinead O’Connor. Producer John Reynolds also produced O’Connor, so he knows well how to lavish the layers. Also prominent on the recording is the striking guitar work of Donogh Hennessy. ‘Ye Jacobites’ is haunting from start to finish with references to an “assasin’s knife”, “bloody war” and this ultimate solution: “Then leave your schemes alone/Adore the rising sun and leave a man alone to his fate.” The jangular arrangement is awash with pounding eloquent percussion. ‘Samhradh’ has a merry carnival ambience, reflective of its summer-soaked title. A more contemporary surprise is a cover of Suzanne Vega’s brilliant ballad, ‘The Queen and the Soldier’. As the story unfolds, the brave soldier questions the authority of the war-faring royal. “The young queen, she fixed him with an arrogant eye,” is a point at which frictions escalate and the soldier admits, “Your highness, your ways are very strange.” ‘The Streets of Derry’ is earmarked by delightful vocal ornamentation. This song, which is most likely deeply personal, contains instrumental passages which leave room for the imagination to wander before the singers harmonize and utter closing phrases. The duo won’t stand still in their quest for excellence and growth. “We are connected strongly to our own native place, but are also interested in the wider world, who we meet on the road, and how that feeds back into our music. Taking Lumiere to locations across the world has given us the confidence in our own journey and in remaining true to ourselves,” states Kennedy on a press release. That said, “My Dearest Dear” truly rises to the occasion; reimagining the traditional whilst infusing contemporary sensibilities.

Track Listing:-

1 My Dearest Dear
2 Bó na Leathadhairce
3 The Wind That Shakes The Barley
4 Cailín Deas Crúite na mBó
5 The Silver Tassie
6 Who Knows Where The Time Goes ( With Sinéad O' Connor)
7 Ye Jacobites
8 Samhradh
9 The Queen and The Soldier
10 The Streets of Derry