I’m not sure where I was in 2016, when a wealth of Australian and Irish talents played the ABC’s Radio National of Exile shows in Melbourne and Brisbane, but the concerts certainly passed me by. Hearing about them doesn’t even trigger a vague memory. However, I’m glad the songs performed as part of these shows are now seeing the light of day as Exile – Songs & Tales of Irish Australia.
This is such an intriguing recording, with songs that tell the story of Irish immigration to Australia, the impact that relocation had on the Irish people who decided to call Australia home and the difference their presence made to our wide brown land.
It’s a diverse album which captures the spirit of Irish people so well. Normally I gravitate to songs with lyrics I can latch onto, but I loved the beautiful instrumental pieces like “O’Carolan’s Welcome” and the stirring “The Orphan/Australian Waters.” “Na Conneries,” performed by Pauline Scanlon, shows the power of a single, pure, beautiful voice. It gave me chills.
Songs like “Moreton Bay,” performed by Declan O’Rourke, and “Mary Kate,” performed by Lynelle Moran, have such a timeless quality. There’s a gravitas about these songs we rarely hear in modern music.
“Silvermines” drew me in to its story of a young Irish woman making her way through the world in such challenging circumstances. Leah Flanagan shines on this track, which may be my favourite on Exile. I also felt my soul stir listening to “Cry of A Dreamer” performed by Sean and Aine Tyrrell.
And you know you’re in good hands when industry legends Paul Kelly and Shane Howard team up for “Farewell Dan and Edward Kelly.” John Spillane’s “Ireland and Australia” is such good fun, the kind of raucous track that calls for a sing-along with pint in hand.
With almost a third of Australians claiming some degree of Irish ancestry, this is an album sure to resonate with many people living here. Exile – Songs & Tales of Irish Australia is out now. Find it in digital stores and physical record stores, where it’s bundled with a live DVD.
Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia