This CD oozes self-confidence. Who but a self confident singer would include household songs like “Banks of the Bann,” “Lovely Joan” and “Flandyke Shore” on an album without trying to remake the songs? Just the prospect of doing “Flandyke Shore” and the inevitable comparisons with Nic Jones that will spring from such a venture, would scare off many less brave men.
But Graham O’Callaghan knows his craft, and he knows he knows it. Though this is his first solo effort, he has been performing in folk clubs for many years, both on his own and with a three-part harmony group called Jink’s Stack. O’Callaghan comes from the southwest of England, but as you can tell from his name he comes from an Irish family.
In This Heart is a very tasteful record. O’Callaghan has decided to let the songs speak for themselves. He is merely a vehicle for them. Sometimes singing a capella, other times with just one or two instruments behind him, he comes across like a male June Tabor. There are no flirtations with rock or jazz on this album: just a bunch of good songs performed as they were written.
The repertoire is mainly traditional, with the exception of three songs. The opening “From Severn, by the Somme” is an emotional song by Martin Graebe inspired by a visit to the battlefields of the First World War. The other contemporary song is the title track by Sinead O’Connor, used here as the closer. It is done in a very slow fashion with a few sparse piano chords backing O’Callaghan’s voice. “Waiting for the Ferry” is by Graeme Miles. O’Callaghan performs it a capella; and if you did not know, you would swear it was a traditional song.
O’Callaghan is a master with the traditional songs. His voice is very well suited to them and he picks them with great taste. The aforementioned “Banks of the Bann” shines like a cut diamond and his slow a capella version of “Ned of the Hill” brings out both the romance and the drama of the song.
The backing is mostly guitar, melodeon, and concertina. Although four guitar players are listed on the sleeve notes, they often perform one by one. Violin, whistle, piano and oboe add extra colour to a few tracks, but the instruments never take over. They are only there to back up O’Callaghan’s voice and to serve the songs.
In This Heart is a timeless album. Since Graham O’Callaghan steers clear of all things fashionable, he has created a recording that can be played no matter what fashion dictates. It may not catch your breath the first time you hear it. But give it time, and it will grow on you. And the cover leaflet gives you all the lyrics and lengthy information about the songs.
(Dragon Records, 2000)
[Update, 2023: We can’t find hide nor hair of this recording online, but you can listen to a few songs by O’Callaghan on the Irish Traditional Music Archive website. Word has it he may still be singing at a festival or two in the U.K. after a sojourn in France.]
