The Man That I Am

SEAN KEANE'S fourth album brings together an impressive array of producers, arrangers, musicians and guest vocalists from various fields. Keane traverses a broad repertoire, with his background in trad and folk in happy union with various musical styles, from the country shuffle of 'Point Of View' to the leisurely blues of 'These Memories Of You'.

The understated arrangements by producers Jim Rooney and Arty McGlynn dance lightly around and never encumber Sean's measured tones, as he effortlessly blurs the lines between the genres - one of the folkiest tracks is a rendition of Townes Van Zandt's 'If I Needed You,' featuring American country singer Kathy Mattea. The folk feel continues on Jimmy MacCarthy's 'The Parting', and Sean's voice rises from its usual sombre tone on another MacCarthy-penned tune 'A Dance As Old As Tears', where he skilfully teams with Maura O'Connell's lower echoes.

The singer never strays too far from his roots in the Sean Nss tradition, particularly apparent in his version of Dick Gaughan's powerful epic 'Sail On', while delicate strings, courtesy of Nollaig Casey, make the simple love song 'Full Circle' one of the most affecting tracks on the album.

The album finishes with Sean's take on 'Blackbird', as arranged by Beatles producer, Sir George Martin, and here his distinctive voice is paramount over an unobtrusive combination of strings, flute and acoustic guitar. Sir George gave his seal of approval to the singer's folk treatment of the song following his appearance at one of the National Concert Hall performances he hosted last year. High praise indeed.