Brigid O'Neill - The Truth And Other Stories

by Nicky Crewe

published: 26 / 5 / 2023

Brigid O'Neill - The Truth And Other Stories

Label: Goldrush Records
Format: Select Format

Excellent new album from Brigid O’Neill, who has been establishing a reputation as one of the best storytelling songwriters around and which will delight her fans and convince new audiences of the truth of her talent.

Review

Sometimes I am drawn to writing a review because I am familiar with the artist and their music. Other times I am drawn in by the agent’s press release, or the genre they represent. This latest CD from Brigid O’Neill called to me for a very different reason. While unfamiliar with her music, I recognised the name. She shares it with my great grandmother. It seemed a good reason to familiarise myself with her music. Having built a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest songwriters, O’Neill has made the transatlantic journey to record this latest album, ‘The Truth and Other Stories’ in Nashville with producer Neilson Hubbard. He is known for his work with another consummate storytelling songwriter, Mary Gauthier and with the band The Orphan Brigade. The title of the album raises some big questions. What is Truth and how do we recognise it? O’Neill tells us this collection of songs isn’t specifically about Covid and the pandemic, but her songwriting was impacted by the events of 2020, not least because she wasn’t able to develop the songs with an audience or a band. Thankfully Neilson Hubbard and the musicians she worked with in Nashville were able to respond intuitively and creatively to take these songs where they need to go. BBC Radio Ulster DJ Ralph McLean describes O’Neill as a having “a voice that can break your heart at 30 paces.” The clarity of her vocals and her intriguing lyrics draw you in, creating a hush that makes it impossible not to focus on the songs. You can’t help but be curious about the characters and their stories. Their dramas are open to interpretation. Their tales of heartbreak and happiness are recognisable and relatable. There is a lovely swing to the musical arrangements, blending folk and country with a hint of jazz. It fits into the contemporary genre of Americana, blending Irish and Nashville traditions along the way. On an album the order of songs is important and the opening track ‘Live A Little Lie Oh’ is full of energy and promise. ‘Prayers’ is a protest song, reacting to the power of the church and social media. There’s fighting talk in ‘You’re Not Going to Leave Me Honey’. ‘Midweek Magic Club’ is sultry and jazz tinged, while ‘Messy Path’ is pure Nashville in its musical arrangement. The final track, ‘Pilot’s Weather’ has the sense of a storm coming. I know I’m not the only reviewer to respond to the heartbreaking ‘Leaving’ as one of the stand out songs of the album. The lyrics explore the feelings of a woman leaving home and family to escape domestic abuse, but it could relate to anyone having to leave all they know behind to make a new start. O’Neill writes “To my constant delight and gratitude, people often tell me how my songs resonate with and affect them – how they work to comfort and console, unlock emotions or bring hope and joy.” That’s the Truth.

Track Listing:-

1 Live a Little Lie Oh
2 Easy
3 Ask Me in a Year
4 Prayers
5 Leaving
6 Take A Day
7 You're Not Gonna Leave Me Honey
8 Midweek Magic Club
9 Messy Path
10 Amelia
11 Pilot's Weather