Post by cw on Apr 12, 2010 13:43:06 GMT 1
The term "alumni" is most often used when referring to the ex-students of educational establishments (schools/colleges/universities) but it can well be used when referring to those with long/tangible links to an organisation.
It is definitely appropriate when referring to Sharon's album where so many involved had such tangible links to the Corrs. For the purposes of THIS post, I'm concentrating on the musical side rather than including the "business" side where John Hughes has been seen, long-term band PA has acted as Sharon's agent & their British agent John Giddings gave Sharon an opening at the IOW festival (which he manages).
The absence of familiar names was noticeable on the credits of Ten Feet High so many of us were VERY curious as to how Sharon would proceed.
I suspect the overwhelming majority of the existing fanbase were very happy when Sharon announced Anto Drennan & Keith Duffy were involved. Nor was it a surprise to hear that Jason Duffy was also a key member of her team.
The question of a producer was also paramount in many peoples minds & it was interesting that she has gone with someone who is not an international bigname. However Billy Farrell has had a long track record with the Corrs with pre-production & programming. She has also retained the services of long-time Corrs studio engineer Tim Martin who's name can be found on many of our Corrs CDs.
As more details of Sharon's project emerged, especially with regards to it's musical direction, one suspected that orchestration would most likely be a part of at least some tracks. It was no surprise, yet reassuring, that the name Fiachra Trench was confirmed as conductor & arranger on early tracks & this has followed through the album. Owners of Unplugged will recognise him as the orchestra conductor & arranger; a role repeated on Live In Dublin, Home & BBC2.
The Irish Film Orchestra which provided such wonderful backing as the Corrs "house orchestra" on Unplugged & Live In Dublin has also fronted for service with Sharon. This outfit has also served as house orchestra for Celtic Women major recorded shows.
Another old Corr names has been Conor Brady, who substituted for Anto Drennan as lead guitar for part of the TOC tour including the breakthrough RAH gig. The celtic drums on FNF's Lough Erin Shore became a signature for the Corrs & one of those drummers, Noel Eccles, was recruited by Anto as a percussionist on many of Sharon's tracks. Along with being an old bandmate of Anto's from Moving Hearts, Eccles also doubled as chief percussionist for a number of Ireland's major orchestras.
Of course, running an "old mate's" show is no guarantee of a satisfactory outcome but these people are all quality musicians and, in most cases, their Corrs' contributions speak for themselves.
Sharon's EPK's clearly showed the congenial atmosphere prevalent amongst her "Corr" crew and she summarised things quite eloquently during a radio interview with BBC Warwickshire where she was asked:
"Presumably it’s key at a time like this when you’re launching your solo album to have musicians around you that you really trust and have faith in".
S: "Yes and I do. My guitarist, my bass player and my drummer all played with the Corrs and they are great friends of mine and wonderful musicians and um they certainly make me feel very comfortable especially when I’m doing a show."
Why are these old hands working for Sharon, especialy given there is no major label budget ? The Corrs DID have a wonderful reputation as people to work with and clearly Sharon has been able to use this residual goodwill. One cannot discount her own personal charm but there clearly is also respect for her musical capacity.
Friendship is one thing but it has been clear that her key collaborators also BELIEVE in this project. As well as serving as travelling accompanist, Anto Drennan has been an active recruiter of old friends and associates to play on the album. As is highlighted in the following TV clip, Billy Farrell has been shopping demos to his contacts in the business.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d4psoJ2m5Y
Sharon's recording of "Me and My Teddy Bear" for Children In Need could almost have been regarded as an "outside project" yet a look at the credits reads: Billy Farrell (producer); musicians Anto Drennan, Keith Duffy, Jason Duffy; engineer Tim Martin, orchestra Irish Film Orchestra, conductor Fiachra Trench.
Especially given this has, to date, been a self-funded project; it is both testimony to the regard Sharon is held in musically & personally that she has been able to assemble both the "regular crew" plus guests that she has. Whilst she clearly has retained executive artistic control of the project; she has clearly assembled a group in whom she is in total musical sync & with whom the trust is implicit both personally & musically.
The commercial success of this album may not be certain but Sharon has stated that her main aim was to create a complete body of work that she can take pride in. From what has been aired to us so far, we have a strong sense that this is the case. Along with her own musical talents, Sharon deserves immense credit for assembling the right team around her.
It is definitely appropriate when referring to Sharon's album where so many involved had such tangible links to the Corrs. For the purposes of THIS post, I'm concentrating on the musical side rather than including the "business" side where John Hughes has been seen, long-term band PA has acted as Sharon's agent & their British agent John Giddings gave Sharon an opening at the IOW festival (which he manages).
The absence of familiar names was noticeable on the credits of Ten Feet High so many of us were VERY curious as to how Sharon would proceed.
I suspect the overwhelming majority of the existing fanbase were very happy when Sharon announced Anto Drennan & Keith Duffy were involved. Nor was it a surprise to hear that Jason Duffy was also a key member of her team.
The question of a producer was also paramount in many peoples minds & it was interesting that she has gone with someone who is not an international bigname. However Billy Farrell has had a long track record with the Corrs with pre-production & programming. She has also retained the services of long-time Corrs studio engineer Tim Martin who's name can be found on many of our Corrs CDs.
As more details of Sharon's project emerged, especially with regards to it's musical direction, one suspected that orchestration would most likely be a part of at least some tracks. It was no surprise, yet reassuring, that the name Fiachra Trench was confirmed as conductor & arranger on early tracks & this has followed through the album. Owners of Unplugged will recognise him as the orchestra conductor & arranger; a role repeated on Live In Dublin, Home & BBC2.
The Irish Film Orchestra which provided such wonderful backing as the Corrs "house orchestra" on Unplugged & Live In Dublin has also fronted for service with Sharon. This outfit has also served as house orchestra for Celtic Women major recorded shows.
Another old Corr names has been Conor Brady, who substituted for Anto Drennan as lead guitar for part of the TOC tour including the breakthrough RAH gig. The celtic drums on FNF's Lough Erin Shore became a signature for the Corrs & one of those drummers, Noel Eccles, was recruited by Anto as a percussionist on many of Sharon's tracks. Along with being an old bandmate of Anto's from Moving Hearts, Eccles also doubled as chief percussionist for a number of Ireland's major orchestras.
Of course, running an "old mate's" show is no guarantee of a satisfactory outcome but these people are all quality musicians and, in most cases, their Corrs' contributions speak for themselves.
Sharon's EPK's clearly showed the congenial atmosphere prevalent amongst her "Corr" crew and she summarised things quite eloquently during a radio interview with BBC Warwickshire where she was asked:
"Presumably it’s key at a time like this when you’re launching your solo album to have musicians around you that you really trust and have faith in".
S: "Yes and I do. My guitarist, my bass player and my drummer all played with the Corrs and they are great friends of mine and wonderful musicians and um they certainly make me feel very comfortable especially when I’m doing a show."
Why are these old hands working for Sharon, especialy given there is no major label budget ? The Corrs DID have a wonderful reputation as people to work with and clearly Sharon has been able to use this residual goodwill. One cannot discount her own personal charm but there clearly is also respect for her musical capacity.
Friendship is one thing but it has been clear that her key collaborators also BELIEVE in this project. As well as serving as travelling accompanist, Anto Drennan has been an active recruiter of old friends and associates to play on the album. As is highlighted in the following TV clip, Billy Farrell has been shopping demos to his contacts in the business.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d4psoJ2m5Y
Sharon's recording of "Me and My Teddy Bear" for Children In Need could almost have been regarded as an "outside project" yet a look at the credits reads: Billy Farrell (producer); musicians Anto Drennan, Keith Duffy, Jason Duffy; engineer Tim Martin, orchestra Irish Film Orchestra, conductor Fiachra Trench.
Especially given this has, to date, been a self-funded project; it is both testimony to the regard Sharon is held in musically & personally that she has been able to assemble both the "regular crew" plus guests that she has. Whilst she clearly has retained executive artistic control of the project; she has clearly assembled a group in whom she is in total musical sync & with whom the trust is implicit both personally & musically.
The commercial success of this album may not be certain but Sharon has stated that her main aim was to create a complete body of work that she can take pride in. From what has been aired to us so far, we have a strong sense that this is the case. Along with her own musical talents, Sharon deserves immense credit for assembling the right team around her.
