Customer Reviews

To Hell Or Barbados

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

 

 

My first introduction to Damien Dempsey was this past October at the Keswick Theater in Pennsylvania. He opened for Sinead O'Connor and from the first song I was blown away. After his set he was signing his CD's in the lobby and my friend encouraged me to go buy his CD and get his autograph. I am so glad I did. I bought two of his CD's that night, this one and Shots. To Hell or Barbados has been in my CD player since. I love this CD so much that I haven't wanted to take it out to listen to the other one.

This Irish fella does not make traditional Irish music. I can't categorize the type of music he does make as each song has its own flavor. All I can say is the sound is beautiful and fresh and this CD is a wonderful combination of melodies and lyrics. There are songs that have a reggae beat, one that has sort of a club or techno feel. There is not a clutter of sounds and vocals, no complex jumbled studio mixes as the majority of songs the focus is himself and his guitar.

Some of my favorite songs:

To Hell or Barbados - The title was taken from the book of the same name To Hell or Barbados: The Ethnic Cleansing of Irelan by Sean O'Callaghan. It is about Oliver Cromwell's conquest in Ireland and the sending of over 50,000 Irish men, women and children to Barbados as slaves. The subject matter of this song is so tragic, but the song itself is so lovely. It is my favorite song and when it's finished playing, I always listen a second time. His vocals, the words, the Uillean Pipes and the melody on this song give me chills. How he can turn a subject so horrible into a song so beautiful is a testament to his talent.

Your Pretty Smile - This is an upbeat tune with a reggae feel. It's impossible not to smile when he sings this song; it is definitely a feel good song.

The City - His tribute to the city where he was raised, Dublin. It has a beat and music you'd hear in the clubs, fast and dance worthy, but his voice flows over the music, slowly, almost at odds with the song, but it works. At one point there is a portion of the song where he speaks about the city, a verse of poetry, while the music maintains its pace.

All the songs on this CD are beyond wonderful each having a unique feel and I simply love this whole album. I wish I were more eloquent but I really think words can't accurately describe his music; it's something one has to experience to fully understand and appreciate it. I am glad I bought it, I just hope to be able to switch it out of my CD player for his other one someday. :) For me this is quite possibly a flawless CD, he's a poet with a powerful voice and range, armed with an acoustic guitar. Perfect.

Once you hear Damien Dempsey sing you realize you have heard something special. He has the amazing ability to convey a huge range of emotion in simply the tone of his strong voice. He flavors the cd with different sounds ranging from reggae to celtic-folk and even edgier middle eastern sounds as on "Masaai." The liner notes are wonderful as well because he gives you historical context to the songs of Irish history as well as defines some terms that many people may not understand.

With each release (and they are all worth having) he continues to develop himself as the leading voice in modern irish singers while also carving himself a spot in history. Buy this and enjoy!!!!

The default review above is a good summary of this album and I won't waste time repeating what it said, but I did want to add that the title track of this album is easily the most powerful and haunting track I've heard all year. It's the kind of almost painfully emotive work, raw and honest in it's intention and execution, that is so rare these days.

If you aren't familiar with Damien's work, this is a great place to start, although his previous albums are all absolutely amazing. Once you've discovered him, you'll kick yourself for not having done so earlier and you'll wonder why it is that more Americans haven't discovered his incredible work.

This album, like his others, is highly recommended.

Real simply put.... A Great CD...
After hearing some of his current music I bought all his CD's...
I never do this....
Very good meaningful music

If you like Damien Dempsey, this is another good CD! I have shots, and now this one, both are FANTASTIC!