John Breen

Artist: John Breen
Label: Alternative-Urban Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 783707982625
EAN: 0783707982625
ASIN: B00061V8HM

Release Date: 2004-09-01

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Tracks:

Raglan Road
Rare Auld Mountain Dew
Easy And Slow
As I Roved Out
Sea Breeze
Black Is The Colour
Mountains Of Mourne
The Dublin Minstrel
Hills Of Connemara
Johnny Jump Up
You Will Go
The Irish Rover
The Auld Triangle

Customer Reviews:

Atmospheric Break From The Old Routine.......2004-10-26

"Skies clouds threaten rain, now ain't love grand", John Breen sings on "Sea Breeze", one of the self penned tunes on his debut album. That ruminative line captures the affecting spirit of John Breen.

Though there's plenty here that pays homage to fans of the requisite Irish attitude, "Rare Auld Mountain Dew" and "Johnny Jump Up", it's the sentimental mood that John Breen captures best. "The Dublin Minstral" steals the show, and "You Will Go", also self-penned, is ingratiatingly nostalgic.

Producer Steven Hawkins surrounds John Breen's contributions with amazingly intuitive resourcefulness. Each song on this 13 song album is showcased in a way that typifies the overall tone - a passionate work of heart.

An appealing showcase for John Breen's emotive voice........2004-10-11

The new CD from John Breen is a refreshing display of his roots and an appealing showcase for his dynamic emotive voice. This is a Celtic music album loaded with exquisite selections.

Does this release succeed? Mightily.

Opening with "Raglan Road," Breen is on form. His presentation of this angst-driven composition goes straight to the heart of the listener. The musical background setting for this song is phenomenal.

Breen's delivery of the beautiful and haunting "The Dublin Minstrel," based on the life of Luke Kelly, is an image-laden, chilling rendition that showcases Breen's dynamic vocal artistry and emotions. He is truly feeling this song. The work of producer Steven Hawkins increase the effectiveness of this piece, by the way the instrumentation continually builds and augments Breen's vocal throughout this piece.

The original tune, "Sea Breeze" is another incisive offering. On this melancholy song about a lad fed up with love, Breen's vocal tones and inflections, driven by the wistful subtlety of this song increase the power of the song's stark and joyless message. A brilliant piece of work.

"Black Is The Colour" has a very passionate orchestral intro and background accompaniment. Breen's version is a mid-tempo presentation of the song loaded with hooks. A finer version I have not heard.

Utilizing a mad collection of instrumentation on "The Mountains Of Mourne," Breen and Hawkins reinvent this Celtic classic to a mid-uptempo pop version of the tune unlike no one has ever heard. This offering is very cleverly crafted and radio ready.

Another original song, "You Will Go" is a heartfelt message in the chorus that forcefully hits every time it is repeated. "...I owe you for the fine memories..." Now the time it has come to leave...we'll be far apart I know...wherever my feet may stray, that is where you will go..." Now, tell me of an Irishman that couldn't relate to those words?

Those unfamiliar with John Breen will find this 13 song CD a mesmerizing introduction. Those who are already fans will be pleased at the variety, power and the beauty of this offering. This release is a treat from beginning to end.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

To the Death ~ M.O.P.

Songs of Praise ~ The Adicts

Have You Fed the Fish? ~ Badly Drawn Boy

There Must Be a Place

Elesgiem ~ Lowsunday

Rock Legends ~ Various Artists

High Priest/Black List ~ Alex Chilton

You Send Me Flying ~ Billie Myers

Voyage of Terror ~ Ennio Morricone

The Soft Tones of Acid Jazz ~ Various Artists