Foy Vance - Hope (2007)

Traveling to Dublin last autumn i picked up on an English/Irish artist called Foy Vance [allmusic link] . Since the early 00's we've been tuning in to almost only singer/songwriters especially here in Norway, and I've started to grow tired of the constant stream of both mediocre melodies and artists. But Foy Vance really hit me. His stunning vocal performances and lyrics complimented by easy and straightforward arrangements really made the difference for me.
So when we landed in Dublin i bought three copies of his debut cd "Hope". One for me, one for my girlfriend and one for the friend who introduced me to him (I had to buy them in Dublin since you couldn't get any copies here in Norway)

Tracklist

Be With Me
Shed a Little Light
Doesn't Take a Whole Day
Fifteen
I Was Made
Treading Water
Gabriel and the Vagabond
First of July
Elshaneed
Indiscriminate Act of Kindness
Hope, Peace and Love
If you could only see yourself like i See you
Dry Wells
Pull me through
Two Shades of Hope

My personal favorites on this album must be the heart wrenching "Two Shades of Hope", "Gabriel and the Vagabond" and "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness", whereas the later one has a vocal performance which is stunningly good.
If you are tired of the Dime-a-dozen singer songwriter, Foy Vance is a good choice. He takes it back to people like Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, both musically and spiritually.

Official Website (Foy Vance)
Allmusic link to the Record

Van Morrison & The Chieftans - Irish Heartbeat (1988)

Traveling to Ireland for one week, i remembered one of my favorite albums concerning the irish folk music. In one of his most acclaimed albums Van Morrison decided to take on the music which had inflicted so much influences and inspiration upon him.
Van Morrison [Allmusic link] had started out as a Celtic folk singer and with this album he moved back to his roots. After a long rock and jazz period this album was exactly what he needed to renew his image and get some new juice into the systems.
Listen to the almost incredible sincere vocals of Van and the eclectic muscicianship of the Chieftans [Allmusic link]. All these versions are almost right down to the tradition with instruments like: Bozooki, mandolin, fiddle and the bodhran.

Tracklist:

Star of the County down
Irish Heartbeat
Tá Mo Chleamhnas Déanta (My Match It Is Made)
Raglan Road
She moved Trough The Fair
I'll tell me Ma
Carrickfergus
Celtic Ray
My Lagan Love
Marie's Wedding

My favorite songs are Marie's Wedding, Tá Mo Chleamhnas Déanta and Star of the County down. Absolute superb versions of these songs. The album recorded in 1988 is a classic in Irish folk music and if you like this kind of music, check it out!

Allmusic link to the Record
Official website (Van Morrison)