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About this album
The esteemed artist Cathie Ryan, renowned as the ‘Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade’ and celebrated as one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by the prestigious Irish America Magazine, is set to captivate audiences with her latest musical masterpiece, ‘The Harvest.’ Released under the banner of Mo Leanbh Records, this compilation album stands as a testament to Ryan’s enduring legacy in North America, Ireland, and the global Irish music community.
‘The Harvest’ is a joyous song cycle that transcends time and generations, showcasing Cathie Ryan’s luxuriant, tender vocals and her carefully chosen material. The album is a collection of re-mastered tracks from Ryan’s illustrious discography, encompassing both traditional and original compositions. With a deliberate emphasis on sparse accompaniment, the album places Ryan’s mesmerizing vocals at the forefront, allowing her exceptional talent to shine.
Cathie Ryan is not only a consummate performer but also a genuine enthusiast who takes immense pleasure in singing, entertaining, and sharing her personal experiences with her audience. The album opens with “Somewhere Along The Road,” composed by Richard Kemp—a poignant choice that resonates with our times. The lyrics, “Somewhere along the road/someone waits for me/beyond these present storms that blow/waiting patiently,” set a fitting tone for the entire album.
One of the standout tracks on ‘The Harvest’ is Ryan’s original interpretation of the legendary pirate queen’s life, Grace O’Malley, featuring music by John Doyle. Ryan’s portrayal offers a vivid glimpse into the remarkable relationship between the singer and her beloved Tipperary grandma. The matriarch, an early musical influence, is remembered fondly through the cheerful and upbeat song, which celebrates their connection.
In an innovative twist, newly composed verses by the McGuinns are seamlessly integrated into “May The Road Rise To Meet You.” Ryan deftly weaves herself into the song’s structure, transforming a prayerful hymn into a compelling love story. The interplay of new lyrics with the timeless chorus creates a perfect union that is both moving and powerful.
‘The Harvest’ concludes with Cathie Ryan’s silken-voiced rendition of “Danny Boy.” This rendition offers a captivating climax to the album, featuring moments of operatic grandeur and tender whispers, all delivered a capella. Ryan’s interpretation of this classic song is nothing short of beguiling.
In ‘The Harvest,’ Cathie Ryan has cultivated a rich musical crop, one that showcases her extraordinary talent and undeniable passion for the art of storytelling through song. This compilation album is a testament to her enduring legacy in the world of Irish music and is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
Reviews
Named ‘Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade’, listed in the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine, Cathie Ryan has a stellar reputation, in North America, Ireland and throughout Irish music communities worldwide.
This compilation album on Mo Leanbh Records is a joyous song cycle that reaches across time periods and generations, her luxuriant tender vocals and chosen material make it an enchanting piece of work. An album of re-mastered tracks from her many previous recordings, traditional and original. Songs are sparingly accompanied, vocals to the fore. Cathie Ryan is an outstanding performer who clearly takes delight in singing, entertaining and sharing the personal.
With celebratory warmth, the opening track by Richard Kemp, Somewhere Along The Road, is probably a deliberate choice given the times we live in; ‘Somewhere along the road/someone waits for me/beyond these present storms that blow/waiting patiently’, couldn’t be a more fitting opener.
Her original interpretation of the pirate queen’s travails, Grace O’Malley with music by John Doyle deserves its place here. Her tribute to the much loved Tipperary grandma provides a vivid snapshot into their relationship, the matriarch obviously an early music influence, the older woman liked to play the fiddle, ‘but best of all my grandma liked me’, and grandma is rewarded with immortalisation in the chirpy, cheery, upbeat song.
Newly composed verses by the McGuinns are blended into May The Road Rise To Meet You, an innovative device where the singer inserts herself craftily into the song structure, winding the prayerful hymn into a love story, really effective, new words and old chorus, a perfect match. Her silken-voiced version of Danny Boy provides a great flourishing finish, a capella, at times operatic, from beguiling crescendo to a whisper. Cathie Ryan’s The Harvest, is a rich crop.
Anne Marie Kennedy, Irish Music Magazine
Tracks
Credits
Producers by: John McCusker and Séamus Egan.
Engineers: John Anthony, Scott Petito, Andy Seward, Bryan McGee, Charlie Eble, Donogh Hennessy, & Joe Rusby
Musicians:John Doyle, John McCusker, Séamus Egan, Phil Cunningham, Johnny Cunningham, Kris Drever, Gerry O’Beirne, Greg Anderson, John Anthony, Steve Holloway, James Mackintosh, Donogh Hennessy, Michelle Mulcahy, Niall Vallely, Hanneke Cassel, Michael McGoldrick, Matt Mancuso, Chico Huff, Scott Petito, Iain McDonald, Malcolm Stitt, Alan Kelly, Ewan Vernal, Mike Brenner, Sara Milonovich, Michael Aharon, Winifred Horan, Jamshied Sharifi, Keith Angel, Kieran O’Hare, Patsy O’Brien, Karine Polwart, Fiona McBain, Leslie Ritter, Lester Simpson & Kate Rusby.
