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 Rita Connolly is the first
solo album from an artist who is widely regarded as one of |Ireland's
foremost Singers. The Rita Connolly album, was released in 1991.
and served to underscore her ability to cross musical borders effortlessly,
on it she includes songs ranging from a sea shanty, through The
Beatles to classic blues linking them all together by the simplicity
and purity with which she sings." The Vocal and instrumental accompaniment
- from such luminaries as Liam O'Flynn, Davey Spillane, Mairtin
O'Connor, The Voice Squad, Noel Eccles and Eoghan O'Neill - certainly
strengthens and enriches this recording. While a truly great singer
like Connolly could doubtless rise above uninspired accompaniment,
when she's joined by Ireland's finest, well, it's simply the difference
between a good album and a fantastic one."
Rita first gained international
recognition, in 1985, with her interpretation of Granuaile, which
was specially written for her by Shaun. She has performed the work
extensively both in Ireland and abroad, the film of its British
premiere in Greenwich has been shown worldwide. In 1987 she toured
Britain with the RTE concert orchestra performing excerpts from
Granuaile, the highlight being a sold-out show in London's Albert
Hall. Rita is also featured on two of Shaun Davey's other major
works The Pilgrim and The Relief of Derry Symphony'.
Buy Rita Connolly CDs online
REVIEWS
Rita Connolly, her first CD, starts off strong
with "Venezuela," a wonderful rendition of a sea chantey that is
reminiscent of Meg Davis. She follows this with a fun and exciting
work by cohort Shaun Davey, "Miracles." Two more traditional work
songs follow: "Factory Girl" and "Same Old Man," with some wonderful
harmonies. It's hard for the rest of the album to live up to this
incredible start, but there is a terrific middle-eastern sounding
piece called "Alice in Jericho" and a beautiful closing lullaby
called "Close Your Eyes."
Jo Morrison - The
Green Man Review
"On her first solo recording, Rita Connolly
has shown herself to be a skillful producer/arranger, an adept lyricist,
and a soulful interpreter of songs. But at the end of the it all
comes down to: The Voive. Hers is alternatingly commanding, caressing,
revealing, soothing... but always magnificent."
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