HEATHER INNES / CIARAN DORRIS:
REVIEWS
The strength of Ciaran's rich voice together
with the softer tones of Heather's voice gave this duo a
distinct sound of their own. The depth of feeling they put into
each song and their rapport with Dalgety Bay Folk Club members
led to enthusiastic audience participation".
Colin S Hay
Chairman Dalgety Bay
Folk Club
The Attic Folk Club has had many outstanding
national performers among its famous names. None more
outstanding than Heather and Ciaran. They are well on their way
to being famous with great voices, passion and humour.
David Davidson. Attic Folk Club, Chesterfield
The concept has resulted in a fine selection,
sensitively put together. Your arrangements, choice of musicians and
final mixing are excellent.
John Morris.
I went along to Falkirk Folk Club to see what
Ciaran Dorris and Heather Innes were all about. From the first
note they held the audiences full attention but their first
song, a Country and Western standard did not fully prepare us
for what we were about to hear. Ciaran, with a voice reminiscent
of Neil Sedaka and Heather's songs ranged from the sublime to
the ridiculously sublime.
Ciaran's interpretation of "Dublin in the Rare Old Times" and
"Raglan Road" were the tenderest and sweetest I have ever heard.
I was constantly amazed at the closeness to the traditional
version they were, yet with very subtle nuances to the melody.
On a more worldly plane the song about his friend Belfast Maisie
was wholly irreverent yet supremely witty.
Heather's sweet clear voice softened the atmosphere with a
Hebridean Lullaby and "The Highland Widows Lament"
Together, they made, as they say, wonderful music and the verbal
jousting between them spilled over into the audience and a rare
evening of banter ensued. Each song seemed better than the last,
and at one point Heather's husband joined in with duo to produce
wonderful harmonies.
Andy McKean filled the floor spot and introduced Ciaran to "The
Broken Piano" The night lasted an hour longer than usual but no
one was keen to leave, wanting more from this duo. Eventually
the night rounded off with the entire company singing, "Will the
circle be unbroken" in Polish (Joke!) Unfortunately with that
the spell was broken. How many people went home singing "Raglan
Road", trying to hold on to the melody they had heard earlier??
Review written by A Well Wisher
"I am really delighted with the version you have
recorded (Old Fashioned Saturday Night), the guitar
accompaniment is lovely, very unusual and completely different
to mine. It is refreshing and interesting and has rejuvinated
the song. Of course the vocals are what really do the trick,
your voice is so emotive and warm. I recently went on record in
an interview in Rock ''n' Reel saying that the reason that not
many people cover my songs is that I tend to write and
perform/record definitive versions of them, this doesn't leave
much room for other performers to be creative with their own
arrangements. Along you come and do something very original and
make a liar of me in the process! I think it's great."
Mike Silver
"Blew me away!"
Johnny Collins. Bedworth Folk Festival 2001
Ciaran Dorris & Heather Innes: 'Waiting for
the Calm' Reviews.
"A CD most highly enjoyed and recommended"
Around Kent Folk.
"There are a number of performances of very
good songs on this album...The standard is well above the
average and I am happy to recommend it to you." Folk on
Tap.
"..it is apparent that the two have a musical
understanding, enabling them to pull off a unique, serious yet
laid back sound together." The Evening Echo. Ireland.
"Heather Innes and Ciaran Dorris are a
formidable pair - their duet work covers years of experience and
their concerts guarantee a myriad of emotional heights. 'Waiting
for the Calm' is one of the most surprising and invigorating
collections of folk songs issued this year. It's an aural feast
from two very talented artists." ...... "'Waiting for the Calm'
manages to be both a soothing musical balm and a powerful
communications tool, it is a unique experience." John O
Reagan. Irish Music.
"Overall the accomplished interpretations and
performance of the well - arranged material makes for a relaxed,
easy listening album.."
Dave Arcari. Perthshire Advertiser. April 2004
" I love all the tracks but Jeannie's Flag is
one of the sweetest songs I have ever heard...it's an album I
will play over and over again."
Allyson. Falkirk Folk Club.
"This is a wonderful, wonderful album
...powerful arrangements...
Paddie Bell.
" WOW OH WOW! An hour later dinner is still
undone and I'm starting to replay track after track. The whole
thing is an absolute cracker. Some tracks are totally
gobsmacking. What a brilliant selection. I haven't enjoyed a
whole CD like this for one heck of a time."
Mary Barr. Seaforth Folk Club.
"It's a long time since I have heard a CD which
I love all the way through and can't stop playing."
Debbie Osborne. Swan Folk. Loughborough.
Live Reviews
"They create a friendly, fun atmosphere,
insisting on audience participation. A fine start to the
season."
Swan Folk, Loughborough.
Heather Innes Reviews
"..to say a beautiful voice would be a
masterpiece of understatement. A rare and elusive quality that
is difficult to define or describe.. a magic soaring up there in
a wonderful airspace!"
Paddie Bell
"Waiting for the Calm" show with Mask Theatre
Reviews.
"an evening of powerful songs and transfixing
Mask & Mime performance"...
Wildcat T.M.A., Caithness FM, Thurso.
"A really enjoyable and entertaining concert
with a perfect blend of music, song and anecdotes. The Mask
Theatre was stunning, very moving."
Lorna Crawford. Organiser 'Bute Live' Festival 2004.
"Waiting for the Calm" What the listeners
say:
"It's so relaxing"
"It's the best money we've ever spent."
"We've not had the CD off the player since we bought it."
"We both love it and we don't like the same music!"
"An excellent recording, very clear, you can hear every word"
"The attention to detail is fantastic, especially in the choice of
songs and the order they were put on the CD"
"It has spoiled me for listening to anything else".
