Heart's Desire

by Niamh Parsons

Overview

Heart's Desire finds singer Niamh Parsons in a more exposed situation than on her earlier albums, with only the sparest of accompaniment and, in several cases, no accompaniment at all. For some singers this would be a big mistake, but those familiar with Parsons' previous work will know what a treat to expect. She has one of those singing voices that manages to draw you in completely with no apparent effort and without the slightest showiness or affectation. Heart's Desire offers a nicely varied program of songs that will be familiar to most lovers of Irish music (including "My Lagan Love" and "Brokenhearted I'll Wander") as well as some lovely obscurities, among them "Done With Bonaparte" (which features lyrics by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler set to the traditional "Valentia Island") and a gentle anti-war ballad called "Bramblethorn," on which Parsons sings in duet with her sister Anne. This being Irish vocal music, the mood is pretty uniformly quiet and often heartbroken, though never in a less-than-lovely way, and Parsons' voice is a consistently uplifting contrast to the downcast lyrics. Highly recommended, along with all of her previous work. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/14/2002
Label:	Green Linnet
UPC:	0048248121927
Rank:	168925

Tracks

1. My Lagan Love
2. The Rigs of Rye
3. Jenny Picking Cockles/Colliers (Reels)
4. West Coast of Clare
5. Banks of the Clyde
6. A Kiss in the Morning Early
7. Done With Bonaparte
8. New Holland Grove
9. Brown Bull of Cill Na M¿¿a/The Tipperary Temptress (Jigs)
10. Brokenhearted I'll Wander
11. Syracuse
12. Tide Full In
13. Sweet Inniscarra
14. Bramblethorn

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Niamh Parsons   Primary Artist,Vocals
Dennis Cahill   Guitar,Mandolin,Guitar (Nylon String)
Graham Dunne   Guitar
Mike Kinsella   Harmonica

Technical Credits

Alastair McMillan   Engineer
Dennis Cahill   Producer,Arranger
Andy Irvine   Liner Notes,Composer
Niamh Parsons   Arranger
Mark Knopfler   Composer
Charlie Johnson   Mastering
Bill Caddick   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Brad Wrolstad   Design
Graham Dunne   Cover Art Concept,Arranger
Mike Mulcaire   Photography