 | | Reviews | | |  ELEANOR McEVOY
Early Hours
Market Square Records MSM51SACD128
Eleanor McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her song Only A Woman's Heart inspired the title for and appeared on the A Woman's Heart anthology album. It has since become the best-selling album in Irish history, even eclipsing records by such legendary Irish artists as Van Morrison and U2. Early Hours is her fifth solo album since that time and despite her musical associations with names such as Mary Black, Phil Coulter and Bill Whelan, there is not much on the surface here to attract the lover of folk music. Amongst the thirteen tracks, she allows herself the luxury of one (self-penned) fiddle tune, Driving Home From Butler's and a single traditional song, Anach Cuain - but key word here is luxury because that is the musical feeling that this album creates.
Make no mistake, this is an outstanding piece of musicianship and the opening track You'll Hear Better Songs (Than This) is so addictive that it should carry a health warning, particularly Lindley Hamilton's gorgeous trumpet lines. Then there's a wonderful interpretation of Memphis Tennessee with bass, drum, piano and guitar in marvellous jazz club style and Ms McEvoy's voice soaring above, forcing me to listen to this song in a whole new light - which is surely what covering a classic should be about. Most of the tracks are downbeat, chill-out style although there is a nicely timed up-tempo number, Days Roll By, to inject verve at just the right point.
From a songwriter and band at the peak of performance, this is a clever album because even if you don't share the songwriter's inspiration, the musicality is such that you will still find enjoyment in it. It is sparse yet rich, never flashy but always inventive, playing only the notes that are needed to capture the mood of the song. Released in multi-channel surround mix, it sounds fab even on a bog-standard stereo.
Paul Saunders - May 2004
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 Early Hours by Eleanor McEvoy is an album that you will want to play over and over. With each listening, depending on your mood, one of the thirteen songs will jump out as your favorite. The songs are fun, smart, soulful, and impecably recorded. This is a great album.
Anna, Inga and Don, Boston | | | | | | |  |
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Folk & Acoustic
