Fish Records - MCQUAID SARAH - THE PLUM TREE AND THE ROSE

01.	Hardwick's Lofty Towers
02.	Solid Air	play pause stop Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
03.	Kenilworth
04.	In Derby Cathedral
05.	The Sun Goes On Rising
06.	S'Anc Fuy Beltha Ni Prezada
07.	Can She Excuse My Wrongs
08.	New Oysters New
09.	So Much Rain
10.	What Are We Going To Do
11.	The Plum Tree and The Rose	play pause stop Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
12.	In Gratitude I Sing	play pause stop Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

Much like her heroine Bess Of Hardwick (“Hardwick’s Lofty Towers”) Sarah McQuaid has the intelligence and tenacity to cultivate her lyrics so that the legacy of her song-writing will remain long after she has passed away. If that sounds morose it isn’t meant to be. It’s just that McQuaid’s way with words will draw you in and leave you feeling as if you’ve just stepped from an invigorating shower. She’s the kind of writer who conveys her thoughts brilliantly via the media of music and, take for instance the opening track “Lift You Up And Let You Fly” within a few short verses she is able to let the listener know the pain but understanding in watching a child’s development and eventual release into the world with all the compassion of a mum who (hopefully) doesn’t watch Jeremy Kyle. It has to be said that from a listener’s point of view this is where the producer and musician Gerry O’Beirne’s skill in utilising Bill Blackmore’s flugelhorn is an astute piece of placement. Think of Christy Moore’s “All For The Roses” if you’re unsure where you’ve heard this thought process before and, whilst on the subject of instrumentation much as I’d like to name every musician who contributed to this beautifully crafted album I’m afraid I can’t as I haven’t got the space. Let’s just say I’m bowled over with the creative input from everyone involved. In truth I could write a whole book on the subject of Sarah McQuaid’s way with words but perhaps that is best left to the lady herself. If you require any further incentive why not check out the gorgeous single “The Sun Goes On Rising” which is available for your listening pleasure at www.sarahmcquaid.com/music.html and, like me I’m sure you will be seduced by Sarah’s alto vocals and perfectly solid performance. In the meantime I suppose I’ll just have to kill time waiting expectantly to hear the next album which if it’s anything like this recording will receive another ten out of ten. Highly recommended…buy it, buy it, buy it!

Pete Fyfe – UK Folk Music (Mar 11, 2012)

MCQUAID SARAH - THE PLUM TREE AND THE ROSE

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