MP3: “The Goat Song” By Iarla Ó Lionáird

A thoughtful, intelligent and creative person, Iarla tends to begin work on fresh solo recordings when he has something new to say and Foxlight is no exception. This is only the third solo album from singer Iarla Ó Lionáird in fourteen years (the previous ones are The Seven Steps Of Mercy and Invisible Fields).
This release sees collaborations from illustrious artists across the UK including recent Mercury Prize co-nominee (alongside King Creosote) Jon Hopkins. Leo Abrahams, guitarist and regular co writer/producer to Brian Eno also appears on the album, as well as Planet Mu duo Geese and Leafcutter John.

The collaboration between Ireland’s leading traditional singer and this new and acclaimed generation of folktronica artists is bound to be exciting, but it is also a sublime and passionate affair. The kind of album that demands the listener takes the time to hear not only the ‘surface’ of the material but also dig beneath to the subtle pleasures that lie beneath. Make no mistake, this is no lightweight ‘Celtic’ New Age work but a set of substantial compositions and performances rooted deeply in folk, roots and world music genres. The album also introduces Iarla’s first song in English – ‘Glistening Fields’.

Though he has only made three solo albums to date, Iarla’s musical talent is constantly in demand. Recently he has toured with Moving Hearts, done reunion shows with Afro Celt Sound System, performed a sellout Irish tour with new project The Gloaming, toured with Martin Hayes’ traditional flagship show Masters of Tradition, been involved in a new project with Gavin Bryars and recorded an acclaimed album with Donnachadh Dennehy on Nonesuch (garnering some rave UK press including a 5 star one in The Guardian).
His most recent adventure was performing at the Other Voices show at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC, where he shared a bill with Laurie Anderson, The National, Glen Hansard and Martha Wainright. The show was MD’ed by Thomas Bartlett aka Doveman (Brassland) who is also involved alongside Iarla in The Gloaming.
For someone seen primarily as a ’traditional singer’, Iarla continues to regularly cross interesting boundaries. Foxlight could not be a better display of this.

If you need a song that you can listen to and be taken away, then The Goat Song is for you. This song is a lullaby also known as Ta Dha Ghabhairin Bhui Agam, which is a song about a child and his two goats.

Artist: Iarla Ó Lionáird
Buy CD: Foxlight

Download MP3: “The Goat Song”

Hometown: Ireland
Similiar: Cuil Aodha, West Cork, Ireland, Afro Celt Sound System, Jon Hopkins, Leafcutter John

The Celtic MP3s Music Magazine is the Voice of indie Celtic Music online. Every week, we bring you Celtic CD reviews, articles, and free Celtic MP3s since 2000. We’re changing the way you hear Celtic music. Subscribe to our free podcast and monthly newsletter at www.celticmp3s.com

Patrick M. Matherne works as an editor for the Celtic Music Magazine Podcast. He also is a member of the Renaissance Living History Center and can be seen at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival where he assumes the role of Harry Sodder, who is the garden and groundskeeper for you know who