Clare O’Riordan 'Shelter' - Album Review

Ireland has produced its share of female jazz singers. Many stick to the classic songbook, rather than offering original compositions. Cork-based singer-songwriter (and piano player) Clare O’Riordan has gone against the grain, however, on a debut that oozes self-assurance.
Her voice and singing style are reminiscent of Joan Armatrading, with hints too of M People’s Heather Small (and to these ears, Julia Fordham, who had a late ’80s hit with ‘Happy Ever After’). Backed by a crack troupe of musicians, the tunes are a nice mix of smooth jazz, light funk and piano-based balladry – all exquisitely performed and deftly arranged.
From the smoky, whispered ‘Home’ to the funky, upbeat ‘Fire’ and the jaunty ‘Forever’ O’Riordan’s creations are deft, both melodically and lyrically. She’s versatile, too. ‘Would You Risk?’ is a late night torch ballad, the Gospel inspired title track smoulders and shimmers, while jazzy electric guitar backdrops ‘Wild And Free’. Elsewhere, ‘Steal Down The Rainbow’ meanders and weaves like a Kate Bush song; ‘Out of Here’ has a Van Morrison-ish feel; and ‘How Lucky’ veers towards Rickie Lee Jones territory. Clare truly hits the vocal heights on the sublime, sumptuous ballad ‘You’re The Man’... one of many reasons to hear this excellentalbum.