Blackthorn: Irish Love Songs is a studio album by Irish folk singer Susan McKeown. It was released through World Village on March 14, 2006. The album is known for its sensual arrangements of often melancholic songs, with tracks like "Oíche Fá Fhéil' Bríde" (On Brigid's Eve), "An Draighneán Donn" (The Blackthorn Tree), and "The Lass of Aughrim." While promoting the album, McKeown commented "“To me, these love songs maintain their relevance even today. They express emotions that we all understand. And while they might be old, the subject of love remains universal and contemporary to us all.”
Blackthorn: Irish Love Songs was met with positive reviews from various music trade publications, including AllMusic, Global Rhythm, Soundstage, and RootsWorld.
Critical reception
Blackthorn: Irish Love Songs was met with mostly positive review from music critics. Trade publication AllMusic awarded the album 3.5/5 stars.
Global Rhythm praised Blackthorn, writing "Dublin's Susan McKeown is no ordinary Celtic singer. Her lilting vocals, whether in Irish or English, are full of personality… Blackthorn , her ninth and latest album is a triumph.”
RootsWorld was equally enthusiastic, writing
Soundstage, observed "A variety of love songs fills this album, expressing joy, lamenting betrayal, and revealing jealousy. The melodies and tempos vary accordingly, as do the arrangements. A quick favorite of mine was "Dó Ín Dú" ("The Things in Your Heart") with its peppy mixed rhythms and light background vocals. The use of harp lends special poignancy to several songs.This is a recording with no weak tracks or players. Fiddle, bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, and percussion all lend force to McKeown's vocals instead of calling too much attention to themselves. Production is clear, unpretentious, and immediate: Close your eyes and you could be in the same room with these artists."
Track listing All tracks are composed by Susan McKeown. Oíche Fá Fhéil' Bríde (On Brigid's Eve) A Maid Going to Comber (The Red And Black) Dó Ín Dú (The Things In Your Heart) Maidin Fhomhair (One Morning In Autumn/Princess Royal) Bean Pháidín (Paudeen's Woman) An Draighneán Donn (The Blackthorn Tree) Caleno Custure Me (I Am A Girl From The Suir Side) The Lass of Aughrim Déirín Dé (The Last of the Light) An Raibh Tú Ag An gCarraig? (Were You At Carrick?) 'S Ambó Éara (The Man For Me) An Droighneán Donn (The Blackthorn Tree)
Personnel Susan McKeown - Arranger, Liner Notes, Photography, Producer Cormac Breatnach - Low Whistle Dana Lyn - Fiddle, Harmonium, Viola Don Meade - Harmonica Eamon O'Leary - Banjo, Bouzouki, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Mandolin Edmar Castañeda - Harp Eithne Ní Uallacháin - Arranger Harkaitz Martinez - Txalaparta Júlio Andrade - Engineer Lindsey Horner - Bass Rick Rowe - Mastering Róisín Chambers - Vocals Steve Cooney - Arranger, Guitar Trevor Hutchinson - Engineer Xuacu Amieva - Rabel
References