Legendary
Irish folk duo cover Silver Apples on their latest 7”
It would seem that Tir
na nOg have been around forever. Actually that's not true, although
they inked their first record contract in 1970, which in musical
terms is as good as, the pair split in 1974 after their first run of
albums before tentatively reuniting in 1985. Fortunately they can
still cut it, as evidenced by this 4 track EP on Fruits De Mer
Records. The lead track is a beguilingly beautiful cover of Silver
Apples' “I Have Known Love”, a surprising choice perhaps but one
that makes perfect sense on hearing, its melody reclaimed from the
obscuring noise, Americana brought back home to Ireland. With lyrics
of sailing boats which fit well with this concept of Atlantic
criss-crossing.
Their pair's own
songwriting is as strong as ever, with the three original songs
exuding a timeless loveliness. “You In Yellow”, written and sung
by Sonny Condell, pays homage to warm days and their effects on
nature and our emotions, with Leonard Cohen-esque melody enhanced by
gypsy violin and finger-picked acoustic guitar. “The Angelus”,
again by Condell tackles the bigger issues of religion and afterlife.
“I Pick Up Birds” is written and sung by Leo O'Kelly and has a
freshness that would shame a lot of contemporary indie bands and
relates a true story that happened to the author at a funeral. An
impressive mini-collection of songs showing that acid-folk has a
present and a future as well as a past.
Click here for Tir na
nOg's website
Click here for the
Fruits De Mer website.
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