When reviewing Noelie McDonnell’s demo in these pages last year, I described the Galway singer-songwriter as a hybrid of John Prine, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. The arrival of his debut album only confirms that he is all that and, indeed, far more than the sum of his influences.
With not a drawl nor a y’all in sight, he picks his way delicately through a dozen robust originals, all tastefully blending elements of outdoor rock, pop, folk and country, and all delivered in his warm, expressive and unaffected voice.
Aided and abetted by a bunch of fine local musicians, McDonnell comes across as the real deal, making happy marriages of the catchiest melodies and home-grown lyrics better than any matchmaker.
On the uptempo ‘Stars’, the reggae-fied ‘Walkin’ On’ and ‘New York City’ he shoots straight from the heart. ‘What Am I To Do’, replete with his wailing harmonica, shows great vocal maturity and confidence. ‘Want To Go’ sambas in before settling into a fine rockin’ groove, and there’s a mountain of heartache in ‘Easy On Me’ and in the brilliant ‘Steal A Rhythm’.
The laid-back ‘Roundstone’ is reminiscent of Ger Wolfe and John Spillane, and it’s a true gem, decorated with Gert Nungesser’s weeping steel guitar. The excellent ‘Marrakech’ will bring the people involved in tourism in Donegal out in hives, and if ‘Belly Of The Earth’ goes off-message a little, this is a debut to be taken seriously.
Despite the country and westernisation of Ireland, we have yet to produce an alt.country act to bother the US market. If there’s any justice, we’ve just found one.