RICHARD NEYLON
Live in Galway
Own Label, 12 Tracks, 55 Minutes
Live in Galway is a 12 track digital album recorded live at a special concert in St. Nicholas’ Church in Galway city. Featuring a host of musicians and guest singers, all having appeared on the night of recording.
Uilleann piper Richard Neylon surpasses all expectations once again with this collection. His distinctive sound resonates throughout. Neylon laid out the album himself and it’s done perfectly.
Opening with O’Neill’s March and Jigs, written as all tracks (with the exception of Sonda), by Neylon himself, we are immediately transported into the uilleann pipe land and dancing on our seat. Following on with a song, Lark in the Clear Air and the beautiful vocals of Moylan Brunnock, Neylon has changed the tempo and allows us to sit back and capture the wonderful lyrics and music accompanying. Cape Clear provides us with a beautiful introduction with the uilleann pipes before interaction with guitar and more and continuing to showcase the variety of this live piece.
As we near the end of the album is my firm favourite. Track 11 is the well-known song, The Green Fields of France. But this is different, it has Neylon’s personal stamp all over it. He’s transformed a piece of musical history and very much made it his own.
There’s something rather poignant listening to this wonderful collection from Neylon at present. With little live music available, this is the perfect time to release an album of a live recording. Just close your eyes and imagine you’re there! Neylon says this is an album featuring “me and some great friends” and this is exactly how it feels from beginning to end. It’s a gathering of friends and it’s a collection you’ll listen to again and again. A sonorous piece throughout.

Gráinne McCool

Irish Music Magazine