Maurice Hope – September 28, 2016 at 02:37PM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Ben Glover is loaded in talent, his ability to absorb influences, and observations has seen his work become richer each time he puts pen to paper.
After having divided his time between Ireland and America for some time in 2009 he relocated to Nashville, and since which time he has written with such esteemed acts as Gretchen Peters, Amy Speace and Mary Gauthier plus others. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee The Emigrant has esteemed producer Neilsen Hubbard (bass, percussion, piano and backing vocals accompany fellow players Eamon McLoughlin (strings), Dan Mitchell (piano on “A Song For Home” & “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”), Skip Cleavinger (Uilleann pipes, whistles) plus John McCullough (piano on “The Emigrant” & “The Green Glens Of Antrim”), Colm McClean (acoustic guitar) and Conor McCreanor (bass) on “A Song Of Home”.
Glover open with a gritty version of traditional piece “The Parting Glass”, and it wasn’t something I warmed to in hurry. It wasn’t that I had a problem with the song, but Glover’s version. Yet after a few spin his version became closer to my heart with every play. It isn’t the only traditional song or cover on the record for that matter because there are others.
Of which he likewise places a new, innovative spin to “Moonshiner” and “The Glens of Antrim”; as for Brendan Behan’s “The Auld Triangle” and Ralph McTell’s “From Clare To Here” with a brooding raspy edge to his voice he applies a feeling of great hurt into a song that speaks of heartbreak of separation as does his own composition “The Emigrant”. Aided by sympathetic piano a wondrous beauty rears, and it’s lovingly nurtured as Uilleann pipes creep into the mix alongside the hugely mood enhancing piano.
His voice may not sound, on occasions particularly pretty as he lives the subject of the songs, feels the hardship and disappointments three-fold. Deeply impassioned Glover’s vocals command the attention of the listener not only to allow the melody seep into their subconscious, but also hear every word performed. One reason for the sternest of the material deals with some testing times and themes.
Warmed in the gentle caressing sound of piano keys the Eric Bogle classic “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” hits all the right places. “Heart In My Hand” was written with Gauthier and has to be one of the best songs Glover has been associated with, plus there is his own “Dreamers, Pilgrims, Strangers”. Though brief and infectious the fiddle warmed tune prompts images to appear in front of your mind.
The Emigrant is one of those projects that take the listener out of his normal habitat to somewhere unique, and most special. I invite you to come join me.
Maurice Hope
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