Sarah McQuaid – When Two Lovers Meet
By thatch • Aug 24th, 2007 • Category: Acoustic, Folk, MusicArtist: Sarah McQuaid
Website: http://www.sarahmcquaid.com or http://www.myspace.com/sarahmcquaid
Track Name: When Two Lovers Meet
Playback: mp3/flash
Download?: Yes/No
Sarah McQuaid is a truly distinctive guitarist, her tone and technique remind me of early Bert Jansch and Tony McManus amongst others. She also has really warm and interesting voice into the bargain. “When Two Lovers Meet” is just so understated and delicate that it just goes straight to the emotional jugular and showcases both her guitar and vocals (the uillean pipes I am not so sure about).
Here is her take on the song…
Also known as ‘The Banks of the Lee’, but as there’s a totally different song called ‘The Banks of the Lee’ I prefer to call it by the first line. I learned this song from Nora Butler when I was living in Nenagh. Nora has a great stock of songs and was tremendously obliging about hunting up obscure lyrics for me. I have immense respect for her as a singer and as one of the most generous, giving individuals I’ve ever run across. (Sarah – guitar, vocals; Rod McVey – keyboards; John McSherry – uilleann pipes)
“When Two Lovers Meet” was originally released in 1997 but shortly after Sarah decided to take a break, the album was re-released in Ireland in February 2007. It’s a good album. Make sure you have a listen to Johnny Lad, the way it swings and don’t miss King of the Fairies/The Blackbird, DADGAD tunings and what sounds like a large body Martin (D35?) and this is so cool. I love the way a really talented guitarist can brighten the day.
I really really really like this music. I look forward to her new album and hope one of the festivals here in Australia will bring her out. Oh if you want to hear the radio show that started this and if you have Real Audio on your PC then stroll over to RTE Late Session -11th March 2007 and check it out. (Remember it’s a radio show so there are the news breaks and a few other interesting bits and pieces in the two hours as well)
thatch is fascinated by guitars, music, guitars, production, silly noises, guitars and used to be a musician. Did I mention the thing about the guitars?
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[...] While rummaging around in the RTE Late Session SIte for last weeks post on Sarah McQuaid I noticed a band called Grada. The name rang a bell, and then I remebered that they were here in Australia for The National Folk Festival and a friend or two had been raving about how good they were. [...]
Well, thank you! Just came across this review. Thanks a million, “thatch”, whoever you are! It’s a Martin D-28 from 1965, so you weren’t far wrong. Keep in touch! I’ve got a new album (recorded last May in the same studio and with the same producer as its ten-year-old predecessor) coming out sometime next year so do sign up for the mailing list on the website if you want to be notified when it’s available.
All the best,
Sarah