Karan Casey’s last album Distant Shore (2003) was noteworthy for containing her first self-penned number. Buoyed by the enthusiastic response the record garnered, she’s included a larger selection of original compositions on Chasing The Sun, her fourth solo outing.
The material is simple, less sophisticated, than the finely-honed songsmithery of those she’s covered in the past, but no less appealing for all that. ‘This Time Will Pass’ is particularly lovely, with its metaphorical evocations of loss and regret.
But it’s on unaccompanied renditions of the traditional ‘Jimmy Whelan’ and English folk ballad ‘The Brown And The Yellow Ale’ that her pure-voiced, emotional singing really shines. Few vocalists can channel as much pathos without crossing into overwrought sentimentality.
The instrumental end of the project is anchored by Casey’s longtime collaborators: concertina player Niall Vallely and guitarist Robbie Overson. Additional guests include Michael Aharon on piano and Wurlitzer organ, bass player Ewan Vernal and percussionist John Anthony, who also engineered this beautifully recorded CD.