In this world of digital downloads and shuffle modes, I’ve heard many people say that the concept album is dead. But it seems they forgot to tell Katie Noonan. She’s created what is arguably one of her most ambitious albums to date with her new release With Love and Fury.
With Love and Fury sees Katie and the Brodsky Quartet collaborating for the first time on songs with lyrics drawn from the poetry of the late Judith Wright. The pieces were composed by a who’s who of the classical world including Richard Tognetti, David Hirschfelder, Carl Vine, Elena Kats-Chernin, and even Katie herself.
I must admit, when I first slipped this album on, I just wasn’t sure whether I’d write about it or not. It’s so different to anything I’ve heard Katie Noonan doing before. I couldn’t quite get it. But Kate is one of those artists that is ever evolving, producing quality music and moving on to the next project before things get stale.
The Brodsky Quartet are some of the UK’s best musicians, and Katie Noonan arguably has one of the best voices in this wide brown land. I’ve always known that, but listening to this album I think even I had underestimated her. She hits heights I’ve never heard, delivering songs that are impressively operatic.
I’m still not sure this is the kind of music I’ll reach for time and time again. It’s just so different, with songs that veer wildly from the classic structure of verses and choruses. While that meant I struggled to get into some songs, others really moved me. This album is brave and creative. And in a musical landscape that has a little too much beige, those virtues count for something.
With Love and Fury is released on April 1. Kate will tour the album with the Brodsky Quartet all around the country.
28 April 2016 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
29 April 2016 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
30 April 2016 – Canberra International Music Festival, Canberra
1 May 2016 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
2 May 2016 – City Recital Hall, Sydney
4 May 2016 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
5 May 2016 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth