Product Description A turning point in McEvoys musical direction. It reflected the acoustic, jazz-influenced style she had developed on stage with Brian Connor. For McEvoy it was a new departure and one that found favour with the music media. Irish Music Press described it as .... "her finest album", "a brave rejection of the predictable", "musically daring....beautifully atmospheric". International press lauded it as "a back to basics triumph", "beautifully restrained", "a classic", and "McEvoys best release to date" About the Artist The career of one of Ireland's most popular songwriters started at age four when she began piano lessons. Eleanor's passion for classical music began at age eight when she took up the violin. Upon finishing school she attended the prestigious Trinity College in Dublin where Eleanor studied music by day and worked in pit orchestras by night. She graduated from Trinity with an honours degree and was accepted to the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Eleanor worked with the Symphony Orchestra for four years before she finally took the plunge and left the classical world behind her to concentrate on her real passion - songwriting. Eleanor McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her own song 'Only A Woman's Heart' inspired the title for, and appeared on, the 'A Woman's Heart' anthology album. It has since gone on to become the best selling album in Irish history. 'A Woman's Heart' stayed in the Top 10 for over a year and still remains in the Irish charts to this day. Eleanor was awarded the Irish Recorded Music Association Award for Best New Artist in 1992 and the Irish National Entertainment Award for Best New Artist in 1993. Hot Press, Irelands premier music magazine, named her Best Solo Performer in 1992 and Best Songwriter in 1993. A year later saw the worldwide release of her self-titled debut on Geffen Records, 'Eleanor McEvoy'. International radio hits followed with the release of the two main singles 'Apologise' and a re-recorded version of 'A Woman's Heart'. Eleanor toured the USA, Europe and the Far East in support of the album, building up a loyal fanbase and racking up international sales. Hot Press, again lauded Eleanor, placing the album amongst the top debuts of that year. In 1995 Eleanor, together with her band, performed for 80,000 people gathered in Dublin to see US President, Bill Clinton. 1996 was a busy year for Eleanor starting with the release of her second album on Columbia Records, 'What's Following Me?', 'Precious Little', the first single, was a top ten radio hit in the US. Eleanor again toured internationally in support of the second album playing to sold out venues in the USA and Europe. 'A Glass Unkissed' from the same album was featured in ABC Television's 'Clueless' and 'Whisper A Prayer To The Moon' was featured in the Pierce Brosnan film, 'The Nephew', which was released August 1998. Eleanor's involvement with film continued with her performance of 'The Seabird for the soundtrack of 'Some Mother's Son' written by "Riverdance' composer Bill Whelan. Eleanor released her third album 'Snapshots' in 1999. Calling herself 'a songwriter, first and foremost', McEvoy's primary goal was to make 'Snapshots' her most song-orientated effort to date. 'I started with a very clear concept and I wanted every musical brush stroke, every nuance, every arrangement and every vocal expression to be focused on the meaning and life of the song', she explains. Toward that goal, McEvoy hooked up with producer Rupert Hine (who has previously worked with Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner and Duncan Sheik) and recorded the album in Rupert's home studio in his chateau in France and then in Metropolis Studios in London. It's no wonder that Eleanor has so many loyal and dedicated fans around the globe. Her songs communicate honestly and eloquently to many people on subjects, which are common to us all. This organic attitude to music has won her many fans and as a song writer, Eleanor has had songs covered by artists as diverse as Emmylou Harris, Sonja Kristina, Mary Black and Phil Coulter.
K**.
Good
Eleanor McEvoy sounds as good live as she does on record, can’t say that about a lot of singers.
B**E
Five Stars
Very Good, Very Happy, Very Pleased
M**Y
Another excellent album from Eleanor McEvoy
Sparse and simple arrangements - quite often just piano (wonderful playing, by the way) intimate songs. Just listen to'The rain came down' - superb !!!
S**M
Five Stars
an absolute must.
M**Y
At the Top of Her Game
An absolute " must have" album for anyone who appreciates female singer/songwriters!A beautiful pure and at times haunting voice, simple and uncomplicated musical orchestrations and a fabulous SACD recording.What more could you ask for?
J**.
Boring
Growing up with Joan Baez, Carole King, Maria Muldaur, Kate Bush, Emmylou Harris (and UOGB), I findE. McEvoy's music and lyrics lacking in variety and interest.
W**G
Five Stars
Fantastic! Item arrived on time . CD in very good condition . Brilliant !!!!!
M**N
Eleanor McEvoy - Who?
Rarely do you get an artist whose consistency is so faultless that every album is a work of art. Eleanor McEvoy is that artist! The most underrated and unheard artist in the music world! 'Yola' is her fourth album and marks yet another development in her musical progression, which emphasises the acoustic, back to basics feel. It is not maybe the album to start with if you are to be introduced to Eleanor McEvoy's music; I suggest her second album the outstanding 'What's following Me', though you will also be well introduced with 'Snapshots' and the first album entitled 'Eleanor McEvoy'. Yola as an album probably won't make an instant impression on first listening. It needs a few plays to listen for its masterfully crafted lyrics and melodic melodies to grip you and then you will be hooked. An album to be played over and over again and never tire of.As with the other albums the major theme of songs is one of relationships and the lyrics display a very perceptive and sensitive insight into the many aspects of human emotions. The lyrics are poetically crafted in a masterful way and would be as impressive printed in a poetry book as they are sung with music on a CD. This is not to understate the quality of the musical side of this album, music that emphasises the eminence of the piano in crafting tunes that complement the poetry of the songs. McEvoy's distinctive smooth vocals with rich tones are crystal clear in lyrical delivery and are complemented by the prowess of Brian Connor's piano playing. Eleanor McEvoy is truly a tour de force as a poet, a composer, musician and singer.The lyrical content of the songs focuses on relationships from the positive such as the first tract 'I've got you to see me through' and the seventh 'easy in love' to the negative such as 'seasoned love' and "dreaming of leaving'. It is hard to pick a favourite track as all are individually crafted with poetic lyrics expressing insight and perception on a deep emotional level. The album begins on a positive note with an optimistic view of relationships sung to a lively melody. But this is soon changed by tracks that explore the heartache of hurting and broken relationships 'Isn't it a little late?' 'The rain falls', 'Did I hurt you?' 'Dreaming of leaving' and 'Seasoned love'. This last track is a poetic work of genius. 'Easy in love' picks up the tempo with a happy go lucky love song, followed by a melodic song focusing on the emotion of loss, entitled 'Last seen on October 9th'. Hurt emotions as a theme is returned to in 'Leaves me wondering', but the album ends on a positive note with the final two tracks 'I hear you breathing in', an intimate love song and 'Something so wonderful' well develops a spiritual depth to McEvoy's lyrics.This is certainly not a depressing album; it is one that is beautifully composed with a sultry feel dealing sensitively with the lows and highs of feelings and emotions and the complicated nature of our relationships with those close to us.On a practical note the jacket is attractively presented, with atmospheric graphics, the exception being the pictures of McEvoy and Connor, they are somewhat unfortunate! One drawback is the lyrics are not printed in the sleeve notes; you have to visit the web site to read them, though Eleanor's crystal clear diction means you don't miss a word on the songs.Don't dismiss this album if it does not grab you on first listening. It is a masterwork that will grow on you the more times you listen to it, the poetry demands to be heard. It is not for playing as background music and do listen to McEvoy's other albums you will not be disappointed.
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