Shapeshifter by Alannah Thornburgh
'Shapeshifter' is a collection of compositions inspired by the rich tradition of fairy folklore & mythology in rural Ireland, specifically my native Co. Mayo.
It was my greatest joy to spend time interviewing close to 50 storytellers, historians, family & friends and local characters on the topic of fairy folklore & mythology, and compose a tune in response. Snippets of some of these conversations can be heard interspersed throughout the album.
The research of this project was supported by the Arts Council's Next Generation Award.
Tracklist
| 1. | Storytime | 2:41 |
| 2. | Glór na Sí | 3:37 |
| 3. | Away with the Fairies | 4:07 |
| 4. | Mick na mBréag | 3:11 |
| 5. | Hare Song | 4:23 |
| 6. | Chasing the Hare | 2:54 |
| 7. | Oíche na Gaoithe Móire | 4:53 |
| 8. | Shapeshifter | 4:20 |
| 9. | An Fear Gorta | 4:01 |
| 10. | Peadar's Lament | 4:24 |
Credits
All tracks composed by Alannah Thornburgh, except for track 5 'Hare Song' (lyrics written by Laura Quirke and music composed by Alannah Thornburgh).
Recorded by Stephen Doherty in Currinara Studios, Foxford, Co. Mayo
Mixed by Cian Hamilton in Middle Ridge Studios, California
Mastered by Harvey Birrell
Musicians:
Alannah Thornburgh: Harp (all tracks), fiddle (track 1 & 10)
Laura Quirke: Vocals (track 5)
Joshua Burnside: Additional vocals (track 5)
Conor Cunningham: Clarinet (track 4, 5 & 6)
Lorcan Byrne: Percussion (track 1, 3 & 5)
Stephen Doherty: Bodhrán (track 2, 6 & 7)
Rob Thornburgh: Saxophone (track 3 & 10)
Aoife Kelly: Violin (track 8)
Cian Hamilton: Electric bass (track 1 & 3) and production
License
All rights reserved.
Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist from the wild west of Ireland. Alannah’s music reimagines ancient airs and tunes from the Irish harping and American Appalachian and Jazz traditions, described as being ‘unforced, fluid and utterly at home in her own sound’ (The Irish Times).