Lumiere

Lumiere is two distinct voices cut from the same geographic cloth.

One is Éilís Kennedy, whose sound has ready access to the soul without need for scaffolding or spotlights. For over a decade, hers has been one of the most underrated voices in Irish music. Her natural and genuine interpretations of songs, both old and new, sung in her native Gaelic and in English, were previously heard in her multiple collaborations and solo offerings as a recording artist.

The other half of the musical whole is Pauline Scanlon, an award-winning singer from the same Kerry town of Dingle. She is part of a tradition of Irish female voices from Sinead O'Connor to Enya, all personal interpreters of their physical and spiritual landscape. Scanlon has two critically received albums to her credit as well as extensive touring experience all over the globe.

Together, they offer a distinctly feminine sound and feel, where voice is the primary instrument and Ireland as motherland is re-imagined.

John Reynolds says of Lumiere: "Pauline and Éilís have a rare and unique singing style I had never heard before. From the moment I heard their voices I knew we had to make an album. Discovering these songs through their voices lifted them into a place of real soulful tradition, ethereal but at same time modern. A pure joy."

What is Lumiere? It is light and longstanding. It is looking afresh with a clear lens on an age-old tradition, drawing from a well of songs and spirituality, of being true to the past yet offering something entirely relevant to the present.

Track Listing:

Fair & Tender Ladies
Fill Fill A Run O
Kellswater
The West’s Awake
Edward on Loch Erne's Shore
The Poor Wayfaring Stranger
The Streets of Forbes
Spencer the Rover
Oro Mo Bhaidin
Ca Rabhais Ar Feadh An Lae Uaim
Sile
The Blackest Crow
Beidh Ril
Maidirin
Silent Night 

Released: 2012-01-31T00:00:00