Sweet Liberty
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2004-05-11
Reviewed 2004-05-11
SUSAN McKEOWN – “Sweet Liberty”
World Village, 2004
Ten excellent Celtic-folk vocals with a few surprise twists (4, 6, 10). These are all traditional tunes, and most are at slow tempos, with gorgeous but restrained accompaniment. McKeown’s vocals, particularly on those slower songs, have a sort of plain-spoken quality that’s almost heartbreaking in its simple beauty. On the other hand, those tracks also tend to be the more standard-sounding ones. It's all good stuff, well worth your time.
Fo’s picks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10
1. 3:02 – upbeat, lilting melody, twittery vocal, very nice two-flute break
2. 5:51 – melancholy tale of an exiled convict; slow with guitar & violin
3. 6:40 – a story-ballad in the ancient style, gathers steam as it goes
4. 4:28 – COOL! Gaelic lead vocal with Ensemble Tartit (Malian nomads) providing chanting, hand-clapping background. Hypnotic!
5. 6:07 – pretty song about Irish emigration to Canada; rustic feel
6. 3:56 – relaxed, with mariachi musicians! A strange little story.
7. 3:31 – quietly engaging ditty with guitar/whistle/harmonium
8. 3:50 – midtempo, old-style ballad; harrowing lyrics but a happy end
9. 6:24 – quiet and spare, just voice & piano, widow of a hanged man
10. 4:23 – slow, with a strong, clear vocal over swirly, echoey backing
[ Fo ] – 04/29/2004
World Village, 2004
Ten excellent Celtic-folk vocals with a few surprise twists (4, 6, 10). These are all traditional tunes, and most are at slow tempos, with gorgeous but restrained accompaniment. McKeown’s vocals, particularly on those slower songs, have a sort of plain-spoken quality that’s almost heartbreaking in its simple beauty. On the other hand, those tracks also tend to be the more standard-sounding ones. It's all good stuff, well worth your time.
Fo’s picks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10
1. 3:02 – upbeat, lilting melody, twittery vocal, very nice two-flute break
2. 5:51 – melancholy tale of an exiled convict; slow with guitar & violin
3. 6:40 – a story-ballad in the ancient style, gathers steam as it goes
4. 4:28 – COOL! Gaelic lead vocal with Ensemble Tartit (Malian nomads) providing chanting, hand-clapping background. Hypnotic!
5. 6:07 – pretty song about Irish emigration to Canada; rustic feel
6. 3:56 – relaxed, with mariachi musicians! A strange little story.
7. 3:31 – quietly engaging ditty with guitar/whistle/harmonium
8. 3:50 – midtempo, old-style ballad; harrowing lyrics but a happy end
9. 6:24 – quiet and spare, just voice & piano, widow of a hanged man
10. 4:23 – slow, with a strong, clear vocal over swirly, echoey backing
[ Fo ] – 04/29/2004
Recent airplay
Oro Mhile Gra
Clean Copper Radio In Memoriam DOUGLAS TOMPKINS — Dec 15, 2015
Johnny Scott
Spherical Sounds with — Dec 24, 2009
Sweet Liberty
Multiple Personality Disorder — Mar 18, 2007
Oro Mhile Gra
At the Cafe Bohemian — Sep 05, 2006
Sweet Liberty
Multiple Personality Disorder — Mar 16, 2006
Oro Mhile Gra
No Cover, No Minimum — Mar 03, 2006
Charting
2004-05-17 — 2004-07-19
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jul 11 | 3 |
| Jul 4 | 2 |
| Jun 27 | 3 |
| Jun 20 | 1 |
| Jun 13 | 1 |
| Jun 6 | 1 |
| May 30 | 2 |
Track listing
| 1. | The Wee Birds All Have Come | ||
| 2. | Shamrock Green | ||
| 3. | Johnny Scott | ||
| 4. | Oro Mhile Gra | ||
| 5. | Sweet Liberty | ||
| 6. | Eggs in Her Basket | ||
| 7. | Fair Annie | ||
| 8. | Caledonia | ||
| 9. | The Winter It Is Past | ||
| 10. | When I Was on Horseback |