There’s a soaring, magical quality to Jack O’Rourke’s Wild Place. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that it was recorded live at the Triskel Christchurch in Cork, on a 200-year-old grand piano. But it’s primarily due to O’Rourke’s enchanting voice, which carries these stripped-back and raw compositions, with just some gentle guitar and cello in support,

The second album from the Cork singer-songwriter, Wild Place is a collection of incredibly thoughtful and personal songs – songs of love, parting, misfits, inequality, struggle, coffee and, um, Patsy Cline. Each song tells a story: some inspired by real people, some by O’Rourke’s experiences. ‘High C’ takes inspiration from O’Rourke’s grandmother, while ‘Strange Bird’ is his tribute to the late, great John Prine.

There’s an almost cinematic feel to the album, like a soundtrack to some classic Hollywood movie, perhaps by Nora Ephron. O’Rourke’s captivating baritone and masterful piano are the stars of this particular show. Wild Place seals Jack O’Rourke’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most gifted performers.

Listen: ‘Runaway Train’
8/10

Stream Wild Place below:

Revisit the Hot Press interview with Jack O'Rourke here.