Charity CD by seven Mayo artists will appeal to 'Somebody Special'
Pat Mc Govern and a group of fellow musicians from around Hollymount in south Mayo have come together, in a voluntary capacity, to record a new CD called "Somebody Special."
All of the proceeds from the sale of the new album will go towards the work of The Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
There were seven musicians involved in this musical creation and five of them have served as volunteers with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust over the Years.
The CD was launched at The Kirk in Hollymount.
Pat McGovern outlined: “Music, song and dance are a big part of our annual Easter trip to Lourdes and I had this idea to utilise music to celebrate and promote the goals of the Trust.”
Pat floated the idea last autumn of recording a fundraising CD among his fellow musicians and friends, one of whom is his daughter Aisling.
"The group lovingly and enthusiastically embraced the idea and there began a very special journey.
"The recording is dedicated to all of the special people involved in any capacity with The Irish Pilgrimage Trust, and hence has been entitled “Somebody Special.”
The beautiful Don Stiffe composition of the same title is included on the album.
There are ten songs and a set of reels on the CD. Each track is diverse in terms of mood and tempo. Among them are some of the greatest songs written by Irish writers.
A huge amount of creative energy went into the crafting of vocal harmonies and musical harmonies/arrangements over the course of the two intense weekends that it took to compile the album.
The recording took place in LaunchpadLK, a professional studio in Limerick.
During the recording, the musicians spent long days, ensconced in the studio, with all of their hydration and dietary needs being looked after by two further volunteers, Annette Mc Cabe and Teresa Mc Govern.
Project co-ordinator Pat recounts: “That studio was a very special place to be. The focus, creative energy, joyful enthusiasm, unity of purpose and the total respect of everyone involved, for the cause and for each other was palpable.
"It was truly inspiring, a jot to be a part of and something that we did not want to end."
The outstanding project engineer/producer Shane Wixted, contributed greatly to making the process so joyful and rewarding”.
During the process, all of the musicians developed a deep love of the selected material and have endeavoured to put their own interpretation and unique stamp on each number. It is their dearest wish that everyone who purchases “Somebody Special” will garner as much joy from listening to it, as they all did from creating it.
“Somebody Special” will be available through the following retail outlets:
Hollymount store
The Store in Ballintubber
Martin Murphys, Ballinrobe
Mace, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe
Corrib Oil
Hunts Service Station, Claremorris
Centra, Claremorris
By contacting Pat on 085 1742082.
A digital download of the album is also be available through the online music distribution platform, “Bandcamp”.
The Irish Pilgrimage Trust is in existence for over fifty years.
It has a 32-county footprint and is comprised of groups of volunteers who take children and young adults with additional needs to Lourdes for a week long holiday each Easter.
The seven artists who feature on “Somebody Special” are:
1. Paul Clesham, piano, concertina, violin.
2. Maria Hughes, violin.
3. Michelle Rhattigan, Flute, whistle, vocals and harmony.
4. Sharon McCabe, accordion.
5. Aisling McGovern, whistle.
6. Niall Hughes, Accoustic guitar, double bass and vocal harmonies.
7. Pat McGovern, lead vocals and acoustic guitar.
The design and beautiful art work for the CD and accompanying booklet was created by Catherine Flynn and her husband Paul.
The songs and tunes included on “Somebody Special are:
1. Somebody Special (Don Stiffe)
2. Katie Daly (Traditional)
3. Rainy Night In Soho (Shane McGowan)
4. Will You Go Lassie Go (Traditional)
5. The Broad Majestic Shannon (Shane McGowan)
6. Will You Meet Me On Clare Island (The Saw Doctors)
7. Scorn Not His Simplicity (Phil Coulter)
8. Beeswing (Richard Thompson)
9. Reels (The Bucks of Oranmore, Miss Mc Leods)
10. The Old Man (Phil Coulter)
11. Hard times (Stephen Foster)
A huge amount of time, voluntary effort and creative energy has been invested in this unique musical project.
It is an effort borne of love and passion for music and a very noble cause.
All of the musicians involved dearly wish, above all else, that this is reflected in “Somebody Special."
All would earnestly request that you might consider supporting this unique fundraising effort and that you derive great pleasure from listening to the fruits of their loving labour.