Almost twenty years since that faithful day when Eleanor McEvoy was found by Tom Zutaut A & R from Geffen Records, who had previously signed Guns & Roses, Motley Crew, and Edie Brickell, and offered McEvoy a worldwide recording deal after watching her perform at The Baggot Inn in Dublin. The same week McEvoy also found out that her song ‘A Woman’s Heart’ was to feature on a compilation album of irish female artists, this launching her into the eyes and ears of many a House wife and Mammy the world over. Love that or hate it, McEvoy though, even then, always seemed more relevant than many of her counterparts on the album. And today, she is still focusing hard on music and in her eight studio album I think its safe to say that she is trying to remove the footprint that Womans Heart laid out, and imprinting the fact that she is so much more that the winsome song that helped in catapulting her into the spot light.
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| Eleanor McEvoy- hones in her unique craft on this latest release. |
Armed with a unique ability of writing songs with memorable melodies and honest lyrics. Her new album ‘I’d Rather Go Blonde’ is a slow burning triumph. The first single from the album ‘Look Like Me’ is an upbeat track with minimalist production and is about being yourself and conforming to what others think, pretty much summing up this acts musical stance and attitude.
It has the typical religious references on ‘Deliver Me’ as 'Precious Little' had way back, but on Deliver Me, it appears more outright and honest. True. A statement more so than a remark. Here we see a more mature attitude.
One of the endearing things about Eleanor McEvoy is that throughout her career she has never tried to change her vocal style, letting her accent comes across- however this may hinder or alienate higher levels that this album might reach. With so many artists singing outside their vernacular in order to get hopes in of TV/Film Placements. So perhaps a more acutely tuned resistance in this would have helped the cause a little. As the album boasts incredible melody and vocals throughout. Some which would fit finely on Tv.
At the end of the day, McEvoy is a real and relevant artist. Who shudders under the limelight and almost refuses the glare. But I fear that in todays market place, she needs to glimmer a little more. Having said that it would defy the whole concept of the current album.
A close encounter with McEvoy will show you what she is made of:
Oct 8th , She plays an intimate solo show in the Sugar Club.
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