Distant Shore is perhaps Karan Casey's strongest album yet, a lovely collection of contemporary and traditional material with assured, typically sparse production by Donald Shaw. Her voice is extremely pure, with the added magic of some very fine co-vocals from Karen Matheson, John Spillane and Tim O'Brien. Musicianship is first rate, dominated by Robbie Overson's pulsating, upfront guitar, Niall Vallely's intricate concertina and Donald Shaw's elegant keyboards. An inspired guest list allows Ewen Vernal, Michael McGoldrick, Cillian Vallely, Dezi Donnelly and James Mackintosh to interweave their own magic.

These lyrical songs from Ireland, Scotland and England shimmer with vibrancy. The two Gaelic songs -- "Lord MacDonald's," sung with Karen Matheson, and "Bata is Bothar" with John Spillane -- are highlights of the album. The very poetic lyrics to "Song of Lies" (by John Spillane and Louis de Paor) are filled with surprising non-sequiturs: "And her mouth was as red as the fresh fallen snow." On "Just a Note" by Scots poet/songwriter Matt McGinn, Michael McGoldrick's exquisite flute playing surely rivals the beauty of "Machair at Dawn" from Capercaillie's Choice Language.

Karan's self-penned love song "Quiet of the Night" is disarmingly simple and the musical accompaniment shows exemplary restraint. "Distant Shore" is a superlative reworking of a Billy Bragg song, rendered uncommonly beautiful by Karan's lovely vocals. Another personal favourite is the pastoral song "The Curra Road" (again with Karen Matheson), with its carefree, jaunty lyrics. There are two excellent working songs; the Lancashire mill song "The Four Loom Weaver" and "The Jute Mill Song," depicting the harsh life endured by Dundee's jute workers; here the banjo manages to capture perfectly the lively rhythm of the jute bobbin.

This album is further proof that Karan Casey has one of the purest voices to ever grace a recording studio.

- Rambles
written by Debbie Koritsas
published 28 February 2004