The cd was launched at the annual Ballintubber Carol Service
The recording took place at the Linenhall Theatre in October 2006
Five of the songs featured:
Click on the links to
download a streamed version of the songs
(having broadband would be a help!)
|
Gloria Any Music or RE teacher will find lots of useful material
in the CD from the Castlebar Gospel Choir. Choice of music and performance
is excellent, while production values are high. Some tracks are more
"gospel" than others, but tracks like Let Nobody Turn You
Around and O Healing River leave no doubt about the choir's gospel credentials.
Ironically one of the standout tracks for me was the least gospel in
style - more folky in flavour Tom Kendzia's Stand By Me is given a really
moving treatment and would be particularly suitable for school use.
Instrumentation is sparse, but the piano playing is spot on and never
overwhelms the vocals. Hank Williams' I Saw the Light features bouncy
piano and as I'm more to that in country/bluegrass style it took some
getting used to and wasn't one of the stronger tracks. Congrats to conductor
Niamh O'Kelly and her soloists for a fine album, the proceeds of which
go to the Simon Community. |
Pictures from the recording, featuring the soloists:
Beatrice
Backup from the Cantaraí Umhaill
The men, featuring Father Mike on the right, and soloist Brendan beside him
Elaine is on the right
Karen duetting with Elaine
Joanne in top form
The CD is on sale on sale
through Downtown Records for €15.00
or online from Galway Simon Community at http://www.galwaysimon.ie/store.asp
Bernard presented a cheque to Áine Kilgallon of the Simon Community in October 2007
Proceeds from the sale of the cd's go to The Simon Community