by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Claire Roche
Album: "Out of the Ordinary" by Claire Roche
Year produced: 2001

This is a very dreamy album. Ideal for those who enjoy harp music but are tired of the same old thing as the CD is done in a very different style, and the vocals whisper and call much like a fantastic, eerie combination of Sinead O'Connor and Loreena McKennitt. The songs are all original too,making the sounds both unexpected and delightful.

Each track has a very intimate feel to it. One feels as though the singer is sharing her innermost feelings and emotions through song here, and it is riveting. Tracks such as "Loss" have a choir-like atmosphere, even with a solo voice. Picture music that would accompany a stylized dream sequence in a movie and you are on the right road to understanding the sound of Claire Roche.

The tracks are too full to be background/relaxation music, but they are ripe for the daydreamer. Whether thoughtful yearning for the past is on your mind or wishes for the future, there is something here to set the mood for you to kick back and just think things through. Track six, "Unrequiet" is especially different--you don't listen to the lyrics as much as the sound of Roche's voice, and it is pure magic. The music itself remains fairly simple throughout the CD, which is as it should be. This is a tremendous sound Ms. Roche has developed.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at www.catherineltully.com.

Labels: cd_review_2008

Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, January 31, 2008.
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