A Filipino-Irish musician is set to release her debut album on 4 May. Speaking ahead of the launch, Noriana Kennedy said Ebb ‘N’ Flow, a collection of folk songs, was inspired by the coming together of Irish, Scottish and English immigrants in the Appalachian region of the United States during the mid-1700s.
“The migrant communities were brought together by their love of songs and dances. Intercultural singing provided an outlet to express identity through the musical traditions of their homelands,” she said. “Hence the sounds of jigs and reels, especially as played on the fiddle, were innate to the developing style.”
According to her, black musicians later “infused characteristics of the blues to the mix, and in a development that was to shape the bluegrass sound, introduced the iconic banjo to the region.”
Kennedy said Ebb ‘N’ Flow is a new exploration of the age-old links between Irish and American folk music.
Recorded in Dublin between September 2010 and February 2011, the album features Cleek Schrey and Stephanie Coleman, a “peerless” fiddling duo from the US, and was produced by Trevor Hutchinson, who has previously worked with Lúnasa and The Waterboys.
A number of young and celebrated talents also feature on the record, including Christof Van Der Ven, an emerging singer songwriter, and guitarist Gerry Paul, a member of Gráda who recently toured with Americana legend Tim O’Brien.
“Other players on the album include Breton flute player Sylvain Barou, Bill Whelan from the Rough Deal String Band, and Sean Regan [who has played with Damien Dempsey and Sean Keane],” said Kennedy.
Sharon Shannon also continued her tradition of collaborating with the best in new Irish talent by sitting in with Noriana on Say Darling Say.
Kennedy said the Ebb ‘N’ Flow launch will be marked with three shows from a “red-hot” six-piece band and would bring musicians versed in the old time and Irish tradition together.
The tour, which will include some yet-to-be-announced special guests, begins on 4 May at The Grand Social in Dublin, heading to Kelly’s Music Venue in Galway on 5 May and McCarthy’s in Dingle on 8 May.
