Culture
25 Apr 22

Track Of The Day: Mick Flannery, Susan O’Neill and the Cork Opera House Orchestra - 'Baby Talk'

Mick Flannery and Susan O'Neill return with a new version of 'Baby Talk,' in collaboration with the Cork Opera House Orchestra.

Mick Flannery and Susan O'Neill have shared a moving, emotional rendition of their 2020 hit single 'Baby Talk,' in collaboration with the Cork Opera House Orchestra.

Blending the bluesy guitar and gentle piano with soaring strings and and bold brass, the track is elevated into a new status — containing a fullness and texture that perfectly compliments Flannery and O'Neill's stunning vocals.

Where the original track had more laid back instrumentation of snare, bass, guitar and a whisper of violins, the collaboration fills in the empty space with raspy, deep cello and high-reaching flute to track the weaving voices — adding new layers of drama and emotion to an already moving track.

Two weeks prior to worldwide lockdown, the duo performed their newly released single, 'Baby Talk' with the Cork Opera House Orchestra in front of a sold-out audience, playing an arrangement created by fellow Cork musician Cormac McCarthy.

The concert would be one of the last from the pair for nearly two years, predating a slew of collaborations that resulted in In the Game, a full length album of which 'Baby Talk' was the first cut. Now, the new version comes as a precursor to more orchestral recordings from Flannery and O'Neill, who have realised the power of their voices paired with orchestral instrumentation.

"This duet song was the start of a cool adventure that led to the making of an album based on a similar concept. I’m really happy to share this version with the concert orchestra in the mix now," O'Neill said on the release. "Hope ye enjoy."

In The Game, which was released in September of 2021, would go on to gain critical acclaim. The LP rose to the No. 2 spot on the Official Irish Album Chart, and was the focus of a sold-out European tour last Autumn and an extensive US tour — where they served as special guests to Phoebe Bridgers in Philadelphia. The album would gain a Choice Music Prize Nomination and various RTÉ 1 Folk Award nominations, including Album of the Year.

Check out 'Baby Talk' with the Cork Opera House Orchestra, below: