Emma Langford reveals poignant rendition of 'The Winding Way Down to Kells Bay'

Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford has released the breathtaking new version of her track 'The Winding Way Down To Kells Bay' with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

The single was originally released as part of Langford's 2020 album Sowing Acorns, but has now been transformed to include the stunning musicians of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. The track, arranged by Cork’s Cormac McCarthy, has been in the works since late 2020 and is now finally available to stream on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.

The tune, already a fan favourite on Langford's latest album, has been made even more fairytale-like with the aid of the orchestral sound. The musical swell to accompany Emma's twinkly vocal is reminiscent of an Irish Disney movie. For a song that was already beautifully put together, this version adds an incredible dimension to it. You can almost smell the fresh Kerry seaside and see the beautiful green landscape "winding" across this goose-bump inducing tune.

All proceeds from this track will go to heart and stroke charity Croí, in memory of Emma's late grand-uncle Eamonn Langford.

When Emma was piecing together Sowing Acorns, the follow up album to Quiet Giant, she made the decision to use each track as a dedication. Emma wrote 'The Winding Way Down To Kells Bay' in memory of her grand-uncle who passed away suddenly in the summer of 2018, when she and her parents were visiting him. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the idyllic seaside place Eamonn and his late wife spent much of their years, Kells Bay in South Kerry.

Speaking about the tune, Langford said: "I wanted to capture the essence of the place - the natural beauty of it of course; but also the people, their manner, and the craic that can always be found in a small close-knit community like theirs.

"When I released it first, a lot of people connected with it – people who had visited Kells Bay on their holidays, who had met Eamonn at some point, but also people who had never been there or met him. It felt like home to a lot of people."

 

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According to a press release: "The RTÉ Concert Orchestra relished being involved in this remote recording project – while isolated from their musical and wider community, it was an opportunity to work creatively, and to come together virtually to collaborate with Langford on a project with such resonance for so many.

"Emma recorded her own final vocal and guitar parts at Open Door Studio in John’s Square, Limerick City, before all the separate components were passed on for mixing to her go-to producers, The Production Suite in Dublin."

When choosing a charity to raise funds for, Emma chose one very close to her and her family. The Irish heart and stroke charity, Croí, who aim to "lead the fight against heart disease and stroke, with a particular focus on the West of Ireland. Their mission is to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery & wellbeing."

Croí also do further work to prevent cardiovascular disease and support education around CPR, first aid response, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

On the day Emma's great-uncle suffered a heart attack, the swift action and competence in CPR from passersby on the beach gave Emma and her family the chance to say goodbye before Eamonn passed peacefully in University Hospital Limerick. She hopes that through raising awareness and support for Croí, more people will be aware of risk factors of cardiovascular disease and what to do in an emergency.

Croí’s Head of Foundation & Chief Operations Officer, Mark O’Donnell, said: “We are delighted and very grateful that Emma has chosen to support Croí’s mission to prevent cardiovascular disease, through the release of this very special and personal song. We hope that it will also help to start conversations and raise awareness around heart health as well as encouraging people to find out more about the education and training programmes available.”

Delighted with the final rendition of this song, the indie-folk singer said: "This was such an exciting chance to hear my own song in a new light. I remember hearing it for the first time and I was transported – Cormac’s arrangement feels like an aerial view of the place, it feels like flying over the hills, skimming across the sea, and landing in my grand-uncle’s house by the fire for a cupán tae and a chat. It’s perfect."

You can buy the new release here or make a donation to Croí here.

Check out Emma Langford's Live At The Local, Naas, premiered by Hot Press, here.

Stream 'The Winding Way Down To Kells Bay' below.