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Product Description
Product Description
The award winning Irish singer-songwriter Christine Tobin is one of the UK's most richly expressive and original voices. Accompanied by guitarist Phil Robson and pianist Liam Noble she brings to life the lyrical magic of the poetry of Irish poet W.B. Yeats with her own euphonic and sensitive settings of twelve poems. 'Sailing to Byzantium' features a special guest, the renowned actor Gabriel Byrne, who reads three of the poems. Byrne's presence on the album is of special significance as he was her teacher when he led drama classes at the secondary school she attended in Dublin. Poetry and music have always been of equal importance to Tobin, both as singer and composer. She was particularly drawn to the love poems such as When You Are Old, and also his poems that celebrate the transformative power of art and his desire to find a deeper spiritual truth, as in Sailing to Byzantium. Christine debuted the album at the Southbank Centre during last year's London Jazz Festival and the reviewer on the London Jazz Blog said: "… every note felt inspired. With this Yeats material she really does deserve fulsome bouquets and acclaim." Personnel: Christine Tobin (voice, piano - 2), Liam Noble (piano), Phil Robson (guitars), Gareth Lockrane (flutes), Kate Shortt (cello), Dave Whitford (bass), Special guest: Gabriel Byrne reads poems (2,6,13)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Maher
Format:Audio CD
Having been a longtime lover of both Jazz and Yeats I approached this album with trepidation. However, within seconds it became clear that this is something very special indeed. First of all, unlike Mike Scott's relatively clumsy attempt to grapple with the extraordinary libretto on "An Appointment with Mr Yeats" Tobin has with her exceptionally talented group produced a work of enduring beauty. While the subject material is so (and rightly)celebrated Tobin and her ensemble approach with respect and not a little verve. Instead of being nervous and furtive there is a real brio and sense of space to work through and around Yeats magnificent words.
Another point to note is that the chamber jazz setting and Tobin's exquisite phrasing are decidedly European in their presentation. The inclusion of Tobin's former teacher Gabriel Byrne to narrate some of the work is inspired. While sometimes this device can backfire due to an over-egging or obvious fear of the subject matter, instead it is approached with obvious love with a narrative confidence which avoids the obvious.
This is a really wonderful potential portal to the world of Yeats and poetry. It is a fantastic opportunity for people who are reticent in approaching either jazz or poetry to get a sense of the enormous potential to open up both worlds of wonder at once and in such a life-affirming and enjoyable way.
Another point to note is that the chamber jazz setting and Tobin's exquisite phrasing are decidedly European in their presentation. The inclusion of Tobin's former teacher Gabriel Byrne to narrate some of the work is inspired. While sometimes this device can backfire due to an over-egging or obvious fear of the subject matter, instead it is approached with obvious love with a narrative confidence which avoids the obvious.
This is a really wonderful potential portal to the world of Yeats and poetry. It is a fantastic opportunity for people who are reticent in approaching either jazz or poetry to get a sense of the enormous potential to open up both worlds of wonder at once and in such a life-affirming and enjoyable way.
By R. H. Ervine
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A tremendous union of poetry and music- exceptional-a iltte gem in the music field-a gifted singer and musician - rarity indeed
By Geezer
Format:Audio CD
The power of this album lies in such considered words being delivered with so much authority. A fact that the excellent musicians and the knob-twiddlers have embraced. In an age of flimsy voices and scant lyrics, when confusion and over-production is used to conceal the lack of substance, this music is striking. How nice not to feel that the band and the producer have somehow got in front of the singer. The album as an art form is alive and well and living in Kent, apparently.
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