Somebody

Artist: Connie Dover
Label: Taylor Park
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio Cassette

UPC: 727901426646
EAN: 0727901426646
ASIN: B00005Y9QE

Release Date: 1995-08-29

Related Categories:

General

| Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General

| Folk | Styles | Music

General

| International | Styles | Music

General

| Pop | Styles | Music

General

| International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Celtic

General

| Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Somebody
Baron O' Brackley
On Castle Rock
Lough Erne's Shore
Jack of Diamonds
Cantus
Air for Mary Tipton
O'er the Hills and Far Away
Shenandoah
Rosemary's Sister

Similar Items:

Wishing Well
The Border of Heaven
If Ever I Return
Daughter Of Lir
Celtic Voices: Women of Song

Customer Reviews:

I loved it........2005-11-30

I happened to be in a small store in Weston, Missouri, and heard this music playing about 15 years ago. I had to own the CD. Interesting enough, a member of her band Scartaglen was there to talk to.

Simply Perfect.......2005-03-13

"Simply Perfect" is how I would describe Connie Dover's first solo album, "Somebody" which truly showcases the diversity of this stunning artist. Several Celtic artists contribute their instrumental abilties, including Manus Lunny on guitar and bouzouki, Christy O'Leary on uileann pipes and whistle, Aly Bain on fiddle and Phil Cunnigham on keyboards, accordion, whistles, and cittern. Cunningham also produced the album, and went on to produce Connie's other three albums, "The Wishing Well" "If Ever I Return" and "The Border Of Heaven"

The album begins with the anguished "Somebody" a tale of lost love and the heartbreak that accompanies it. "My heart is sore for Somebody" she sings with a touch of sadness in her voice.

The tone is still melencholy, but a bit darker for "The Baron Of Brackley", a ballad based on an alledged real-life feud between John Gordon of Brackley and John Farquharson of Inverey, Braemar. Many of Connies songs tell a story, which this one vividly does so. I like to call them "story-songs"

Connie also does many instrumentals, which "On Castle Rock" is one of. The song, composed by Connie herself is the name given to the large volcanic rock formation on which Edinburgh Castle stands. Very mellow and peaceful.

Lough Erne's Shore is yet another tale of romantic angst. A pastoral love song form the north Ireland, Connie sings from the man's point of view, about falling instantly in love with a fair maddien on the banks of Lough Erne's Shore. The instrumental bridge in this song is absolutely breathtaking.

The tone is once again shifted dramatically in "Jack Of Diamonds", a 19th century American song, whose roots can be traced back to Scotland. "Jack Of Diamonds" tells the tale of a Cowboy's woes and how he wishes he had a "bottle as long as my arm". A fine showcase of Celtic-Country music.

another dramatic shift in mood occurs for "Cantus", which is probably without question the most profound song on the album. Sung in Latin and English, this achingly beautiful song praises the birth and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ as well as the devotion of Mary, His mother. The song encompasses a 14th century Latin carol and a blend of two Marian poems set to music composed by Connie.

An Air For Mary Tipton, another instrumental composed by Connie, is a slow air Connie named in honor of her maternal Grandmother. Her love for her family and for tradition is quite evident here.

"O'er The Hills And Far Away" is another "upbeat" tune taken from a "Peddlars Pack of Ballads & Songs" edited by W.H. Lougan in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1869. A lovely showcase of the pennywhistle here.

Connie does a fine job with "Shenandoah" , the well-known Missouri River boatman's song. However, this is a rare version of the song that many people might not have heard before.

closing out the album is the emotional "Rosemary's Sister", another "story-song". by Welsh songwriter, Huw Williams, the song is set in London during World War 2. This heart-wrenching song tells the story of Rosemary and her little sister, who died in a bombing during the "Blitz" at the age of 9. Now Rosemary's sister is an angel, dancing in heaven, and Rosemary must cope with a life without her little sister. A perfect ending to "Somebody"

Showcasing music from around the world, "Somebody" is a must have for die-hard Celtic Music fans as well as those who have recently been introduced to the genre. I highly reccommend it.

Give her time........2003-04-10

I can't say enough about Connie's third album, If Ever I Return; after ten years, it is still one of the most consistently brilliant albums I own, and I own a lot, in almost every genre. This first outing, in my taste, doesn't approach it, though it does have its moments.

I think Cantus is a brilliant compilation and arrangement, testifying to Connie's native musicality and her sense of the lyrical Celtic melody. It is also slow enough to show off the full powers of her voice, which elsewhere seem to still be working out how to weild the huge (and ultimately stunning) thing.

Most of the other songs seem labored or just too lightweight for her. One of the chief strengths of her later albums--and this includes The Wishing Well--is the careful selection of dexterous and uncommon songs, both epic and minimal, that pose a full journey for the listener from beginning to end.

It seems to me this is the only way to properly package what she and Phil Cunningham are doing, which is lush with studio backup and big on mood. Mood is great if it's based in strong material, but otherwise, as here, easily deflates.

Brilliant.......2002-10-31

This is one of my favorite CD's in a decade. Charming and beautiful, it is very much worth checking out.

Beautiful music - from my all-time favourite artist.......2002-05-25

Connie Dover first came to my attention in the summer of 2000. Six months later - having acquired all of her first four solo CDs - she had become my all-time favourite artist in any musical genre (and I like everything from Blondie to Bach). 'Somebody' was her first CD, and it sets the distinctive yet versatile tone which is carried through each of her other three recordings. Connie's CDs all reflect her love of beautiful traditional music from the folk history of Britain, and her interest in its influences upon new world folk from the days of the pioneers and settlers. The formula is this - she sings the best of Celtic songs and cowboy songs, intersperses them with a handful of her own brilliant compositions, a few instrumental pieces, and a spiritual song or two. And it's all performed with a superb voice, great backing musicians, and professional production by Phil Cunningham.

All the songs are good, but I think on all Connie Dover records, perhaps coincidentally, the best songs tend to be on the second half of the CD. Thus, the first four pieces on 'Somebody' are very nice - particularly the tale of 'THE BARON OF BRACKLEY' and his bloody feud with John Farquharson - but the next six tracks are better. These six also provide a perfect illustration of Connie's versatility. First up is 'JACK OF DIAMONDS' a lively 19th century American song. Next is 'CANTUS' a mix of 14th century Latin carol and Irish verse, sung to a modern melody. Quite unique! (It was an Internet music sampler of 'Cantus' which first introduced me to Connie Dover's voice - and 30 seconds was all it took to convince me she was something special). 'AN AIR FOR MARY TIPTON' is Connie's own composition. It's an instrumental piece, and it's stunningly beautiful. 'O'ER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY' is an up-tempo song, followed by the gentle and very pretty 'SHENANDOAH', the Missouri River boatman's song. The best of all, I think, is saved till last. We're now in London, it's World War Two, and the Blitz. The Welsh songwriter Huw Williams's composition 'ROSEMARY'S SISTER' has a tremendous melody and the finest of all lyrics. (There is a second Huw William's song on 'The Wishing Well', which is almost as good).

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD 40

One Man Dog ~ James Taylor

Alone ~ Greg Garing

Living Room ~ Trina Hamlin

Views

Some Songs You Might Enjoy ~ Lonely Planet Boy

Extended Versions ~ MC5

Take off Your Pants and Jacket ~ blink-182

Soundtrack

Solar ~ Thunderball