EAMON FRIEL Word Of Spring Thran THR 1001

Witty, articulate and idiosyncratic that’s the world of Eamon Friel. A singer/songwriter, broadcaster Friel is on occasion a visitor to the recording studio. When he does deliver something the Derry man conjures up a world of humour and sensitivity by turn. His two albums so far 1985’s Logrhythms and Stepping Stones from 1993 laid out his patch of wryly humorous, often sensitive songs and a distinct Northern Irish bite. Now comes Word Of Spring, his third solo album.

Two songs centre on his home town of Derry, On Derry Quay and City Of Song, the former a poignant reflection on emigration in post famine times and the later concerning a Derry now battered but not bruised and still hopeful. Early times in Mayo during school holidays are hinted at in the poignant Farewell Mayo and the traditional Patrick Lynch’s Boat is an extremely emotional translation from an 18th century Irish poem. There is a contrast of life in the darkened streets of Derry with the splendor of Mayo in Farewell Mayo where he spent idyllic summer holidays and “I knew every corner of the little fields below” and the emigrant’ s regret of Patrick Lynch’s Boat. Simplicity is the order of the day with sparse arrangements behind Friel’s gravely yet clear vocals. Tamall Dom marks his Gaelic song debut on album and the lively The Scholars On The Road hits off on a high note .Criminally overlooked, Eamon Friel will restore your faith in the narrative power of the singer/songwriter.

Eamon Friel c/o BBC Radio Foyle, Northlands Road, Derry, N.lreland.
John O’Regan