The Seven Steps to Mercy

Amazon.com
It's all in the voice, and Iarla O'Lionaird has a remarkably affecting set of pipes. On his first solo album, the Afro Celt Sound System member shows how traditional music can live in a modern context with his sean nos (literally "in the old style") singing framed by the loops and ambiences created by himself and producer Michael Brook. It's subtle, and never meant as anything more than a frame for the song and the singing, which truly carry all before them. O'Lionaird has the kind of voice that wraps itself around you and draws you in--even if you don't understand a word of Gaelic. Art and intelligence go hand in hand here, but perhaps the loveliest thing is the sparsest--"Aisling Gheal," recorded when O'Lionaird was just 14, and even then possessed of an obvious vocal power. Beautiful is an overused word, but in the case of this record, there is no more apt description. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Seacht (Seven)
Aililiu Na Gamhna (Calling Home The Calves)
Caoineadh Na dTri Mhuire (Lament At Calvary)
Abha (River)
Aoibhinn Cronan (The Humming Of The Bees)
Loch Lein
Cuir A Choladh An Seanduine (The Old Man Rocking The Cradle)
An Buachaill Caol Dubh (The Dark Slender Boy)
Bean Dubh An Ghleanna (The Dark Woman Of The Glen)
Aisling Gheal (Bright Vision)

Amazon.com

It's all in the voice, and Iarla O'Lionaird has a remarkably affecting set of pipes. On his first solo album, the Afro Celt Sound System member shows how traditional music can live in a modern context with his sean nos (literally "in the old style") singing framed by the loops and ambiences created by himself and producer Michael Brook. It's subtle, and never meant as anything more than a frame for the song and the singing, which truly carry all before them. O'Lionaird has the kind of voice that wraps itself around you and draws you in--even if you don't understand a word of Gaelic. Art and intelligence go hand in hand here, but perhaps the loveliest thing is the sparsest--"Aisling Gheal," recorded when O'Lionaird was just 14, and even then possessed of an obvious vocal power. Beautiful is an overused word, but in the case of this record, there is no more apt description. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant and Touching.......2006-06-02

Iarla O'Lionaird first came to my attention with AfroCelts. His vocal work for them is superlative, especially the track "Lagan" from the cd "Further in Time." I got this cd and found that it is not just with AfroCelts that he shines. This is a fantastic album, with outstanding vocal work and smart instrumental accompaniment. My personal favorite is track 3, "Caoineadh Na dTri Mhuire (Lament at Calvary.)" Track 10, "Aisling Gheal (Bright Vision), recorded when he was only 14, is also a stand out. I don't believe there is a weak track on this cd, however. If you love beautiful things, get this cd.

a sanctuary in song.......2004-05-28

Wow, what a wonderful singer Iarla is, and this is a spellbinding album that showcases his talents well.

I have to say that I am one of the minority (seemingly) that was not bowled over by the work of the Afro Celt Sound System, though I couldn't help but pay attention to Iarla's singing in the group. This album is, however, really something very special, I love it's melancholy and it's beauty. It sounds like places to me, wild places out in the moors, places infused with stories, and it moves with serenity and grace throughout. I for one am happy that this sonic landscape is sparse, and that it drifts along without too much contrast. I am reminded in ways of works by the Tallis Schollars, or Rasa, in that respect, and Seven Steps To Mercy has a similar sacred air about it too.

Michael Brook has done a great job of keeping the ambience and the mood faithful, and his contributions certainly should not be overlooked, but the central ingredient here is the fantastic, sensitive singing of Iarla.

This has to be one of my favourites in the Realworld catalogue, and I hope that Iarla will be releasing more albums as a solo artist. A breath of clean, cool air.

We Need More Music Like This.......2002-12-29

Although this CD came out in 1997, I discovered it one month ago while driving late at night and listening to the radio show, Hearts of Space. I generally don't listen to that show, but I love Celtic music, and that night's show was called "Sean Nos," the style of traditional Irish singing which is Iarla O Lionaird's specialty. His voice arrested my attention, and I looked him up on line when I got home. I read the review by listener Kabir Ahamed and thought it rather extravagant in its praise. However, after hearing the CD myself, I find I feel the same way about it. Kabir called it "inner-light-sparking." For me also, this music helps me feel grounded again, and can put me back together when my heart is sore. It has become one of my two or three most treasured CDs. I have sought out everything else available that Iarla has recorded, including the Afro Celt Sound System CDs, the sound track to the movie, I Can Read the Sky, and even a compilation CD called Faith of Our Fathers, Volume 2, which has two tracks in which Iarla sings. I like them all, but this CD is unique. On it Iarla sings in Irish, a capella or with minimal accompaniment, often just a drone. His voice alone communicates so much feeling that I want no other sounds to clutter up the air while he is singing. It is a very intimate experience, as you hear Iarla breathe and feel every consonant and vowel. The CD booklet gives an idea of what each song is about, but understanding the words isn't necessary for this music to access your soul.

Transporting.......2002-02-20

Being a fan of Afro Celt Sound System and Iarla O'Lionaird's wonderful vocals in this group, I was very interested to hear a solo album of his. During the past week, sense I purchased this album, I have been listening to this music repeatedly, not desiring to hear anything else. Iarla's voice, the simplicity of the minimal supporting intrumentation and the traditional style of Gaelic sean- nos singing all add up for me in an incredibly moving experience. Intimate, powerful and heart breakingly beautiful.

Modernized Sean-Nós.......2000-11-01

This album by Iarla Ó Lionaird is a quite delighful modernization of some old sean-nós songs. Iarla's song gives a very good picture of the Irish dialect in Cúil Aodha as well as of the atmosphere of traditional Irish music

All songs are sung in Irish, which prevents some listeners from understanding them. However, even without understanding the lyrics one will appreciate the fine-tuned songs and ancient feel.

Tá an album seo le Iarla Ó Lionaird ana-mhaith ar fad, agus táim á mholadh go hárd. Tá gach amhrán as Gaelainn, canúint Chúil Aodha, agus is álainn ar fad gúth Iarla

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