- Opinion
- 24 Jul 20
Cork folk artist makes excellent debut.
Tootawl’s atmospheric debut evokes the feeling of sitting in a cosy pub pre-pandemic, listening to a local artist hone his craft. Recorded entirely live to tape on an old reel-to-reel, Cork native Richard O’Gorman takes the DIY approach – and the authenticity pays off.
Opening with slow-burner ‘You Wouldn’t Believe Me’ – an exquisite mix of harmonica, harmonies and acoustic guitar – the pace rarely accelerates, though the record is none the worse for that.
‘Every Man Has a Woman (Who Hates Him)’ and ‘I Saw You Staring Into Space’ are standouts, offering intensely personal reflections on love. ‘Do Yourself A Favour’ and ‘I Mourn’ boast smoky guitar riffs a la the Peaky Blinders soundtrack, while ‘Two Hundred Years’ explores the mark a person can make on the world in their lifetime.
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The influence of Nashville on Tootawl’s brand of contemporary folk can’t be missed, yet the storytelling flair is distinctively Irish. Impressive stuff.
- Out now.