Declan Sinnott, one of Ireland’s most respected musicians, has at the age of 61 released his solo debut album called I Love The Noise It Makes.
By Martin Chilton, Digital Culture Editor,
The Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk
If you’re a fan of good Irish or folk music then the chances are that Declan Sinnott will be in your record collection, playing guitar on albums by Moving Hearts, Mary Black, Emmylou Harris and Christy Moore, among others.
At the age of 61, Sinnott has decided to make his first solo record and sing his own compositions.
He’s sung before, of course, on stage during his long-standing career as Moore’s musical partner; and includes one of their regular songs, Bob Dylan’s Corrina, Corrina on this CD. Me And My Dark Companion is dark and brooding while I See The World From Here is as mellow as fine Irish whisky. Sun Shine In is catchy and Blood Is Rushing Through My Veins is the sound of someone who cares about his craft. It’s a thoughtful album, and the 12 songs have the exemplary musicianship and classy arrangements you would expect of one of Ireland’s most talented guitarists and producers, whose played everywhere from giant stadiums to small pubs in Rosslare.
The mix of acoustic and electric guitars is expertly done and the singer’s voice has a mature and rugged charm. And I like the CD cover, which makes him look a bit like an Irish Willie Nelson.
Sinnott, like John Prine, was once a postman (in London), and he said of his new venture: “I could never see myself recording an album of cover versions and that may be one of the reasons I was so slow to make an album. The idea that the person singing the song, wrote the song, has always seemed to me to be the ideal.”
There’s a lovely wistful quality to the album (which is part co-written with Owen O’Brien), even in the closing track, an instrumental called Orbit. And the album title? Well, ‘I love the noise it makes’ was supposedly a riposte John Lennon made when he was asked whether he preferred the melody or the lyrics. Declan has made rather a fine noise himself, you know.
Declan Sinnott performs with Vickie Keating at The Civic on Friday, 20th June 2014 @ 8pm.
Tickets on sale now – phone 01 4627477 or book online.