“Despite being the hard rock/metal dude I am, SirenSong is right up there in the best of ’95 for me. Grace Griffith’s phenomenal voice is my current favorite , in ANY style of music.” —Ray Dorsey, CHAOS, 1995
According to the Folk Harp Journal ‘SirenSong is a beautiful journey into the mythology and music of the sea . . . thoughtfully assembled from many pieces of song and story, some familiar, some newly composed, (singer Grace) Griffith and (fiddler Cathy) Palmer navigate by starlight as they lead us liltingly through this highly musical work . . . (uniting) songs of the seals . . . with the elusive sighing of mermaids and the rowdy jigs and hornpipes . . .’
‘SirenSong includes performances by guest musicians Zan McLeod, Jody Marshall on hammered dulcimer, Billy McComisky on accordion, and Carol Thompson, Sue Richards and Mary Fitzgerald on Celtic harp. SirenSong speaks volumes for the ability of these two artists not so much to lure sailors to the bottom of the sea . . . which I don’t doubt they could do . . . but to lure the music of the world’s waters to the shore of their unique musical genius.’
REVIEW BELOW BY ADAM VICTOR CHRISTENSEN
SirenSong is a beautiful journey into the mythology and music of the sea, created by Connemara, a well-known trio out of the Maryland/DC area composed of singer Grace Griffith, fiddler Kathy Palmer and Celtic harper Mary Fitzgerald. Intricately, thoughtfully assembled from many pieces of song and story, some familiar, some newly composed, Connemara navigate by starlight as they lead us liltingly through this highly musical work. Along the way, songs of the seals are united with the elusive sighing of mermaids, the rowdy jigs and hornpipes of sailors. Altogether, they restore for us those wondrous creatures that the human imagination and the ocean conspired together to create. Even SirenSong’s packaging is lovely: the CD comes with illuminating liner notes, evocative photos of the artists, and an appropriately atmospheric painting of an Irish castle on a cliff under a pale yellow moon.
The recording includes performances by guest musicians Zan McLeod on guitar, Jody Marshall on hammered dulcimer, Billy McComisky on accordion. Several Celtic harpists contributed their talent: Carol Thompson, Sue Richards, Julia Lane, and Mary Fitzgerald, the latter now a permanent member of the performing group. The Celtic harp isn’t just an occasional instrumental color here but is essential to the ethos being evoked. It has its moments to shine and Sylvia Woods’ original composition “Dialogue with a Brook” from the “Harp of Brandiswhiere Suite” makes a rare appearance.
Grace lives up to her name. Her singing is a complete enchantment from the beginning. Her melodies shimmer in the air as iridescent as sunlight on sea-spray. Had Judy Collins taken her a capella maritime gem “Farewell to Tarwathie” and extended it into an entire concept recording this might have been the result. As it is, SirenSong speaks volumes for the ability of these artists not so much to lure sailors to the bottom of the sea … which I don’t doubt they could do … but to the lure the Muse of the world’s waters to the shore of their unique musical genius. We’re very fortunate they beckoned and She heard the call.