The Witching Hour Sessions – 09/01/2018.

Dolores Keane

Dolores Keane (born 1953) was a founding member of the successful group De Dannan, and has since embarked on a very successful solo career, establishing herself as one of the most loved interpreters of Irish song. Keane was born in a small village called Sylane (near Tuam) in rural County Galway. She was raised by her aunts Rita and Sarah Keane since the age of four, who were also well-known sean-nós singers. Keane started her singing at a very young age, due to the influence of her musical aunts.

In 1975, she co-founded the traditional Irish band De Dannan, after a short two-year spell, Keane left De Dannan. Soon thereafter, she married multi-instrumentalist John Faulkner, with whom she would subsequently record three albums of folk music. She also recorded a number of much acclaimed sole albums during this period as well as being involved in the hugely successful ‘A Woman’s Heart’ album in 1992.

Keane is known the world over for her deep, melodic voice. Her recordings of songs such as Dougie McLean’s ‘Caledonia’, Frank A. Fahey’s ‘Galway Bay’, Paul Brady’s ‘The Island’, and Donagh Long’s ‘Never Be the Sun’ are regarded as amongst the greatest interpretations of these songs’ American singer Nanci Griffith said of Keane: “Dolores Keane, the queen of the soul of Ireland, has a sacred voice.”

Tonight’s listening;

1 – There Was A Maid (1978)

A record of extraordinary power where Delores demonstrates the all the glorious versatility of her voice and its astonishing range. A powerful debut album.

2 – Delores Keane (1988)

One of the most beautiful haunting voices you will hear on record. Outstanding guitar work too that wraps sparse licks around Keane’s crystal clear voice. This lady can surely sing.

3 – Night Owl (2000)

Her voice seems to be mellowing and improving rather than weakening with age. Her singing is a joy to me on this album and every moment is a pleasure.