Customer Reviews

Dual

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Only one review of this great CD, and a 4-star review at that? Actually, I agree with the other reviewer (David M. Black) that Julie's voice has a thinness and nasality that sometimes is not pretty, and can become annoying. By contrast, Muireann has a consistently warm tone in which the listener can luxuriate. She is quite an extraordinary singer. A highlight of the CD comes right before the end, with Muireann's exquisite solo rendering of "Pé in Éirinn Í."

However, Julie also has great skills, and demonstrates a precise reading of lyrics and melody, combined with a fine sense of rhythm. Perhaps, as Mr. Black notes, it's the contrast between the two women's voices that is a bit jarring. However, it's also what makes the CD interesting to listen to, with Julie singing in Scottish and Muireann in Irish (hence, the title DUAL).

Taken as a whole, there is not a track on the CD that I don't enjoy, because of the consummate musicianship of all the participants, both singers and instrumentalists, and because of the intrinsic beauty of the traditional material. This is a CD that I play frequently and enjoy more with each hearing. If you're a lover of traditional Celtic music, it's a must-have.

This is a close group, husband, wife, and two longterm friends. Both Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, grew up in island gaelic speaking communities, Julie in the Hebrides and Muireann in the Aran Iles of the Irish west coast. But both the accent and the local music of these areas have strong differences. It is the way these are both kept separate and yet also blended on this CD, that continues to hold my musical interest. Again the quality of both the female voices, soprano declamatory, and contralto evocative, are both individual yet blend well in the performances. This CD continues to give me much pleasure.

I do agree that these women have very different styles of singing and voices, but that adds to the interest. I had been a fan of Muireen's for a long time, and now I have learned about Julie Fowlis through the "Dual" CD. My favorite track never ceases to lift my spirits (and who doesn't need that nowadays?), with its joyful whistle duet and two songs in different Gaelic languages by Julie and Muireen, "Tha 'm Buntata Mor." Can't think of a more fun way to learn about two ethnic styles of music! Please note there is a stunning video version of that track on youtube.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is probably Ireland's finest up-and-coming traditional female vocalist. Éamonn Doorley, who plays bouzouki with Danú, is just fantastic. Julie Fowlis is no slouch either, though personally I prefer Muireann's singing (as do a couple of other reviewers here). Track 5, the Uist-Kerry set, is amazing... the tin-whistle jigs finish the track perfectly.
The arrangements are spare and beautiful. Five stars plus!

While Irish alto Muireann nic Amhlaoibh is primarily known for her work as the frontwoman of supergroup Danu, she is also an astonishing solo artist. Julie Fowlis may well be considered a logical Scottish counterpart to Nic Amhlaoibh, she lacks the latter's warmth and suppleness of delivery. Fowlis's voice is not exactly beautiful, being occasionally nasal, but the idea of collaborating was a good one. The highlight tracks of this album are 1.: Da Bhfaigheann Mo Rogha De Thriur Acu/Dhannsamaid Le Ailean/ (marvelously playful and never gets old no matter how much I listen to it), Beauty Deas An Oilealin (nic Amhlaoibh at her best, singing uptempo and sumptuously leaning into the upper range of her low voice), Tha 'm Buntata Mor/An Bairille/Boc Liath Nan Gobhar (recommended with some reservations, as the jerky melody sometimes makes Fowlis's voice grating), and Pe In Eirinn I, which is sung by nic Amhlaoibh exclusively. Both women are excellent tin whistlers, and Fowlis's husband and nic Amhlaoibh's bandmate, Eamon Doorley, is wonderful. Really, I would say if you like Fowlis's voice buy the whole album - if not, just go onto iTunes and find the nic Amhlaoibh-heavier tracks.