.. -- Slideshow --Marie began singing at the age of four, Her father, Brian Crehan, was a well
known traditional singer and had a ceilidh band, so Marie absorbed
traditional Irish music as part of everyday home life. She began to sing in
public at concerts in Galway, both with choir and as a solo singer. Since
moving to Somerset she has been involved in promoting music through the
Bombadil Folk Club, which ran successfully for seven years in Wellington and,
more recently, Green Door Promotions, which has presented artists such
as John McCormick and Dave Wood.
Introducing Ocean of Blue, a debut Album for 20O6 by Marie Ni Crehan.
Marie is an Irish singer-songwriter living in Somerset and it has been her
heart's dream to develop her songs and produce this CD. So, after three years,
here it is. It represents the wealth of talent there is in Somerset and features
musicians Charlie Hearnshaw, Jerry Cahill, Dave Eastoe, Brian Owen, who has
won the All-Ireland championship for flute four times running (last time with
his handmade drainpipe-flute) and American blues harmonica master, Johnny
Mars, who also co-produced the album.
The lyrics are as important as the music in Marie's songs. Her work is characterised by
a search for an accommodation between poetry and music. She is particularly engrossed
in the process of transferring emotions from one art form to the other. Many of Marie's
lyrics address the issue of emotional and ethical payback.
Others, such as "Tumble Back the Years", are potent evocations of her
formative years in rural Ireland, tapping in traditions, which stretch down
into the strata of history and pre-history. All are intensely personal.
Dedications for Ocean of Blue:
Somewhere Along This Road - Dedicated to all life's travelers, to Alan, Jill, Alistair, Duncan, Annika and Cathy. For your support and friendship, not forgetting the armchair traveler Jerry Cahill. Thanks Jerry for helping me keep this dream alive and for reaching the stars when you play and for going beyond them.
Spider Song - For the Perry family, especially Eleanor for insisting that this song was included on the CD.
Silent and Separate - For Jill, because she loves this track.
Tumble Back the Years - Dedicated to my family, friends and neighbors in the Newbridge County Galway. Also for the people of Sligo who where there for us throught the dark days of my brother's death. For Daddy, Mummy, Johnny, for live will unite us always. For my cousins in Boston, Massachusetts USA, Una and John Sullivan, all the Sullivan clan including Laura, Mary, Jack and Gladys.
Island of Trees - For my English teacher Mr O' Boyle, thank you for opening windows and doors and allowing the winds to blow through.
Ardaighchuain - (Traditional) For my mother and motherland and for all my Irish brothers and sisters everywhere, may the culture, wisdom and ancient heritage of our country keep us strong in who we are.
Breaking My Heart - For Zena, Alan, Neil and Fran, not forgetting the winking cat!
Tears - They say that the wild women never get the blues, not true - they do, but they survive them. For Ali, Christine, Anna, Debbie and Bunty.
Lig Do Sci (Take It Easy) - For Brian the flute player of Lundy Island who said "Music is my Mistress, sometimes she lets me love her." For your musical sensitivity, for your friendship down the years, solid as the rock, for giving this your all as you always do. Thank you.
Time - For Buzz, Ken and Gilley Campbell and for Jem, Chris and Sharon, for colouring my days with friendship.
True - For my boys Liam and Hugo. Love always unites and never divides. Love you always and forever, Mum.
Ochon Mo Croi - Tune taken from Fionn Macumhaill Suite composed by Brian Owen from the final part of the suite where Finn realised he will never see Sabba his true love again and is broken hearted.
Musical Conversations - (composed by Johnny Mars) Johnny and Brian met for the first time on the last day of recording. They played this piece of music togther in Dave's studio. Dave had the good sense to record it live, thanks guys.
Ocean of Blue - dedicated to Simon of Brook Guitars and Dave Eastoe. Thank you for your belief in thses songs, for giving me direction when I had lost mine.
New Album Unexpected
Recorded at Pyramid West Studios - www.pyramidweststudios.com
Fretless bass guitar, key boards and drums by Tim Juckes - engineer and production. Thank you Tim for your creativity, for you studio windows that overlook the sea, for climbing Croach Patrick with me (Ireland’s sacred mountain) and reaching the summit! What a view!
Jerry Cahill - acoustic guitar, ambient guitar, loop arrangements, production of tracks 1,3,11,12,13,14.
Jerry - I know our friendship drifts into stormy waters, but there’s a current strong and constant that will always take us into peaceful seas where dreams come calling. Thank you for our creative eye like an eagles’ - high and watchful, diligent, ready to swoop down.
Adam Montaque - Voice of the Sea Man. Thanks Adam
Child’s voice - Tobias on ‘Bridge to nowhere’. Shine Tobias, like the bright star that you are!
Dedicated to: Johnny - not a day goes by without you in it
And Mr. Paddy O’ Boyle - my english teacher.
For my sons; how strong is this everlasting love - Hugo, Rachael, Liam, Becky and angel-child Poppy Mae
For my friends - How poor my life would be, how empty my pockets without the gold of your friendship - Much appreciated.
For my family - How green our garden grows.
