from The Living Tradition July/Aug 06:
Eilis Kennedy has one of the loveliest voices to recently emerge in Irish singing. Accompanied by a plethora of talented musicians, Kennedy’s second album is ten tracks of wonderfully sung and arranged songs.
Focusing heavily on a traditional repertoire, Kennedy sings in both English and Irish, choosing songs that highlight her pure voice.
Beginning with ‘Go From My Window’, the English songs go on to include the tragic ‘Fair Helen of Kirkconnel’ and the melancholy ‘Farewell to Tarwathie’. But lest you think this album is a depressing collection of ballads. Kennedy spices things up with some Bob Dylan in the form of ‘Boots of Spanish Leather’, and some fantastic Irish-language tracks including ‘Aillillin na Gamhna’ and the rollicking ‘An Paistin Fionn’. The latter has a great beat and Kennedy’s voice lightly trips along the jaunty tune. Ending with The Parting Song’, a gentle song of leaving, the album finishes on a beautiful note.