The Dirty Lowdown: CD Review: “All The Way Home” by Cathy Jordan

Friday, March 23, 2012

CD Review: “All The Way Home” by Cathy Jordan

If you listen to folk music or world/roots music at all then you have heard of the Irish Traditional Folk group, Dervish. Formed in ‘91 out of the success of an ‘89 project by Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin McGinley, Brian McDonagh and Michael Holmes. Cathy Jordan and all-Ireland champion fiddle player Shane McAleer joined the former Boys Of Sligo to complete the Dervish lineup. They released a string of critically acclaimed albums that topped charts and won awards such as Irish Folk Music and international World/Roots music charts #1, Hot Press Folk .Album of the Year, Irish Music Magazine , Best Overall Trad/Folk Band of the Year.

Jordan has a voice that somehow transports the mind the heart and the soul to a place that might be Ireland, but could be anywhere you love. There’s a purity and yet an irresistible power when she sings. On this album, she sings a mix of traditional Irish folk songs along with four original compositions. She describes the songs as the soundtrack to her life. For every mile post in life's journey there was a song or series of songs. Among memories are "The Bold Fenian Men," a favorite of her mother's, and "Eileen McMahon," a haunting song Jordan associates with her father. "Ould Ballymore" is a love song with a twist. "The Banks of the Foyle" was a favorite of an uncle, and "In Curraghroe" and "The Lark In The Clear Air" are part of family lore. Take a listen.

Cathy Jordan “In Curraghroe” from the album “ All The Way Home

"Sliabh Gallion Braes," with its tale of hard times and tenant evictions, resonates strongly in the current economic climate. "The River Field Waltz" and "The Jordan Jig" are more recent compositions. Rounding out the collection are two songs that provide timely bookends to Cathy Jordan's life and music. Co-written by Jordan and her friend Brendan Graham, "The Road I Go" is a song about departures, searching and beginnings. According to Jordan, the country-leaning "All The Way Home," which she wrote with EndaCullen and Ian Smith, brings the journey full circle into present time.

Cathy Jordan “All The Way Home”

Cathy Jordan’s unforgettable voice was and is a big reason for Dervish’ success and no small part of their international fan base. All the Way Home is her first solo album. It’s truly an international effort. Produced in Sweden by long-time friend Roger Tallroth. Tallroth, a Swedish folk musician, composer and member of the band Väsen, also shares arranging credits with Jordan on many of the songs and contributes his talent on guitars. In addition to Tallroth, the album features some of the best known names in traditional music: Sweden's Gustaf Ljunggren (lap steel/banjo/piano), Norway's Lars Andreas Haug (tuba), Ireland's Andy Irvine (mandocello, bouzouki) and Dervish members Liam Kelly (flute), Michael McGoldrick (whose credits include Lúnasa and Capercaille on uilleann pipes) and Rick Epping (concertina/harmonica) and Seamie Ó Dowd (fiddle). Epping, a transplant to Ireland from California.

Coinciding with the release of All the Way Home in the U. S., Dervish featuring Cathy Jordan will be on tour.

March 20-Evanston Celtic Festival, Evanston, Wyoming; March 21-Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA; March 23-California State University, Chico, CA; and March 24-Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, Sebastopol, CA.

If you get a chance to hear them live, then check your local ticket outlets. You can pick up this grand CD at all the usual places. Just click the links above.

The Dirty Lowdown