The Music of What Happens

by Cathie Ryan

Overview

Cathie Ryan's approach to traditional Irish song has always been to walk a fine line between the traditional and the modern, and this effort is no exception. Just over half of the songs on The Music of What Happens are contemporary compositions, some by Ryan herself and a couple of others by guitarist Gerry O'Beirne, while the others are freely adapted traditional songs. While Ryan's vocal approach is quite traditional, her arrangements make subtle use of exotic percussion, electric bass, and occasionally a drum set. The result sounds, in some cases, like a cross between Mary Black and Enya (note the multi-tracked backing vocals on "I'm Going Back"), but on the barely accompanied "Erin's Lovely Home" there is nothing to distract from either the crystalline loveliness of her voice or the mournful beauty of the song. Seamus Egan's production is, as always, perfectly suited to the artist's approach. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	09/15/1998
Label:	Shanachie
UPC:	0016351782427
Rank:	138183

Tracks

1. At the Foot of Knocknarea
2. Home by Bearna
3. I'm Going Back
4. We Dreamed Our Dreams
5. Love and Freedom
6. Understanding Love
7. Coaineadh Na Dtri Muire (Lament of the Three Marys)
8. The Lights of San Francisco
9. A Mh¿¿ithr¿¿n, A'leigfe¿¿ 'Un an Aonaigh M¿¿? (Mother, Will You Let Me Go To)
10. Erin's Lovely Home
11. Lovely Willie
12. An Sean Duine D¿¿ite (The Burnt Old Man)
13. The Yellow Bittern (An Bunnan Bui)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cathie Ryan   Primary Artist,Vocals,Bodhran
Jamshied Sharifi   Guest Artist,Keyboards
Seamus Egan   Guest Artist,Mandolin,Low Whistle,Whistle (Human),Bodhran,Quatro
Steve Holloway   Drums,Percussion
Greg Anderson   Cittern,Bouzouki,Guitar (Electric)
John Anthony   Keyboards,Percussion
Chico Huff   Bass,Fretless Bass
Michael Aharon   Piano,Bouzouki,Accordion,Keyboards,Percussion,Guitar (12 String)
Gerry O'Beirne   Guitar,Ukulele,Spanish Guitar,Guitar (12 String)

Technical Credits

Seamus Egan   Arranger,Producer
Traditional   Composer
Steve Holloway   Arranger
Greg Anderson   Arranger
John Anthony   Mixing,Arranger,Engineer,Mastering
Cathie Ryan   Arranger,Composer,Adaptation,Assistant Producer
Jamshied Sharifi   Arranger,Drum Programming
Michael Aharon   Arranger
Dick Farrelly   Composer
Gerry O'Beirne   Arranger,Composer
Larry Kosson   Photography
Thomas MacDonagh   Composer
Mary Brooksbank   Composer
Keith Cramer   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Kathleen Murphy   Stylist