Never Drift Apart by Maireid Sullivan

As Mairéid notes: "Our vision for these songs is to create a comforting and energizing canopy of sound for the listener, recreating the experience my mother created for me when she sang me to sleep as a child. Each song is a world unto itself: songs of joy, struggle and hope. I grew up in the Irish countryside but I feel that I am a part of every place I have been around the world. My home is everywhere. I wish to remind everyone that music helps us thrive in the chaos of the world."

Never Drift Apart (2003) Mairéid's latest album, recorded in Melbourne, received a four-star review (*see below) in The AGE Newspaper, Melbourne. Earlier recordings include For Love's Caress - a Celtic journey (1998), Dancer (1994) and the live concert duet, A Celtic Evening (1998) with Derek Bell, who was the harper with the beloved Chieftains until his passing in October 2002. She appears on several best-selling compilations in the Celtic genre (including Narada Records release, Celtic Voices - Women of Song (which featured on Billboard's World Music Top 10 charts for nine months during 1995/96). Quarry Music Press published her book, Celtic Women in Music (1999). Volume II is due for publication. Interleaf Press published her poetry collection, Ancient Self - Memoirs (1997). Her poetry, essays and articles have appeared in many publications, including Hugh Downs' My America (2002). She is hoping to soon begin editing a documentary film, exploring sources of the wide variety of cultural styles in Irish music, which was filmed in Ireland in 2000, and she has been interviewing her mother, drawing out her exquisite knowledge of Ireland, for a book, titled A Young Woman of High Years.

Recent Project: After four years filming beautiful landscapes, sacred gathering places, and ancient symbols and icons, in Ireland, North America and Australia, and eighteen months editing, Mairéid and her partner Ben Kettlewell have completed their 75 minute film, Time after Time: a celebration of the great heritage of ancient Celtic, American and Australian cultures, in film, photos, music, poetry and songs. See her website for more information: www.maireid.com

* CD REVIEW:

THE AGE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2003

Keynotes

Never Drift Apart

Mairéid Sullivan (Lyrebird Media)

****

Irish songstress and Celtic chronicler Mairéid Sullivan is back after seven years overseas. Possessing a rich, pure voice and a poet's vision, she has distilled her experiences into an exceptional new CD. Sullivan knows few musical boundaries and the genres on this locally produced record range from contemporary to traditional, from folk and pop to ambient new-age textures (provided by Sullivan's partner, accomplished American guitarist, Ben Kettlewell). Other key contributors include violinist Matthew Arnold, bassist Joe Creighton, and percussionist Peter Neville.

Sullivan's music soothes and uplifts, particularly the opening title track. Her haunting cover of Ry Cooder's classic Across the Borderline, Tommy Makem's beautiful The Curlew Song and a gorgeous rendition of Eric Clapton's River of Tears are standouts.

Never Drift Apart is available at ABC shops and good record stores or online at www.maireid.com

Mike Daly

The Age, Melbourne, Australia

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