REVIEW: JOY SHANNON – AN CHAILLEACH (2024)

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Joy Shannon`s social media states as a  strap line `Pagan folk music on Irish harp, inspired by Irish folklore` which goes some way to expressing this artist`s talents but she`s also an incredible tattoo artist, singer and multi-instrumentalist who plays Celtic harp, cello and harmonium and has released numerous albums with a band and solo. Joy`s latest album is `An Chailleach`, which is Irish for the crone or elder goddess and sees this Celtic artist delving into the lore of the dark wintertime goddess of Ireland.

The album opens with `Corr Bán` which appears to translate to White Stork, which are frequently found in folklore, representing peace, happiness, fertility, birth, and rebirth. The track has a tender, gentle almost ethereal texture about it and veers towards Irish mythology such as Tír n’a n’Óg or land of youth. The lyrics veer from English to Gaelic as the song progresses. There`s a similar feel to `Cailleach` which features Jessica Way from the ethereal metal band Worm Ouroboros, and the dark ambient band T.O.M.B. sharing vocal duties. The lyrics seem to hint at asking the elder goddess for guidance rather than taking a wrong direction or course of action.

`The Crone of Loughcrew` is fairly haunting offering with Loughcrew being home to a group of ancient tombs from the 4th millennium BC in County Meath, Ireland and maybe a resting place for this soul. Emily Jane White adds her evocative vocals to `The Spell` which veers towards an incantation or magic charm with shared vocals that blend and left me in mind of the band Clannad with its fragile beauty.

`Mo Corra` or my friend appears to hint at an alternative belief to organised religion here, seemingly routed within the land.  Neo-folk / dark folk band Osi and the Jupiter, consisting of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Sean Kratz and celloist Kakaphonix and Leila Abdul-Rauf songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, lyricist, and co-founder of extreme metal band Vastum and electronic ambient trio Ionophore add their talents to

`Caer Ibormeith`. The title being the name of the Irish Celtic goddess of sleep and dreams. There`s a delicate texture to this number which has a trance like ambience.

`Airmid` in Irish mythology, is the goddess who healed those injured in the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh. After her jealous father slew her brother, Miach, Airmed wept over her brother’s grave. Leila Abdul-Rauf joins the singer and the duo ensure that the song is a haunting lament with piano keys and harp strings that add a further poignancy. Osi and the Jupiter return on `Heather` which I read puts to song the Irish myth of lovers Gráinne and Diarmuid. Gráinne escaped an arranged marriage to the legendary, but elderly, Fionn, to seek true love with Diarmuid. It is said, as they escaped Fionn’s pursuit, wherever the lovers hid, heather grew. Heather, that grows on the hills of Ireland, is now known as the symbol of soulmate love. It`s a heartbreaking moving affecting listen.

`The Cannon Fire` has Erik Moggridge  whose dark folk project is Aerial Ruin join on this tale that may be a request from lovers or friends in a time of danger and distress. The harp adds an emotional melody to this composition. Wells have been a source of life and spiritual sustenance and this rings true on `The Cailleach Well` where the grief-stricken subject has come for support. A slightly melancholic number but not overwhelmingly sad.

`Stupstock` has Emily Jane White returning on this ghostly number that may refer to souls with a troubled history that seem less entwined after leaving this mortal coil. The song ends with a phrase Jag älskar dig which translates to I love you.  A sort of homecoming or return to your ancestral roots may be at the heart of `The Flood` with lines in Gaelic that look to be `this is your homeland` and `now that summers coming`.

`Leaving` has Leila Abdul-Rauf returning on this song that is about a bereavement or the anguish associated with somebody who is no longer around. I felt there was an almost closing of the circle of life in `Song of my Father` where the narrator returns to their father`s birthplace and hopes that their creator has found the solace that they sought in life.

Corr Bán (Tar Árais Dom / Come back to me) leads us out and features Kai Uwe Faust, a throat singer and shamanic practitioner who is part of Heilung, a folk band. It does have that enchanted spellbinding feel of a healer with its hypnotic tones.

`An Chailleach` is an absorbing listen which is at times delicate, exquisite, and ethereal and is steeped in Celtic mythology which I found allowed the listener to experience the possibility of spiritual and emotional healing. 

Rating 9/10

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