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"Paul Grant is not only an exceptional guitarist but also has a rare talent for the beautiful melodic line. His friend and collaborator, Paul Foskin, is a poet whose images remain
vividly in the mind. Embellished with Conor O'Neill's voice and gift for composition, their talents knit seamlessly together to produce this thought-provoking album which you will want to listen to over and over again." ........................................................................................................................................... Paul Grant is more well-known as an exceptional traditional guitarist who recorded an album some years ago with Martin O'Connor, received good mention in Sarah McQuaid`s Irish Guitar DADGAD tutor book and trotted round the world folk circuit with troubadour, Liam Clancy for many years. But in this three piece folk group, Camnoc from Slieverue, south Kilkenny, he is joined by fellow songwriters, Paul Foskin and Conor O'Neill, who with his remarkable gritty gravel voice full of emotion, sings songs that resonate loss and longing. Paul Foskin is also a poet and this comes through with in some of his inspired lyrical couplets. The songs veer from the album highlight Children after Rain, an insight into the Northern Ireland Troubles from a child's point of view, to the country rock number, Mother and Child with elegant twin guitar lines and tight vocal harmonies supported by Treasa Forristal. On the lively ‘Inside a Man', the plucked nylon strings give sombre weight to the reflective lines that will have the listener humming. Dream On is powerful stuff, a dramatic and evocative anthem on a child's fear of the future, with Conor O'Neill's moving clear voice. With shades of quietly assured song-writing skills from years together, Camnoc is a folk group doing its own thing, with a kind of well crafted warmth and instinctive understanding in their playing and writing. It is not surprising to know that some of these songs have already been recorded by Liam Clancy and Karan Casey. This album is a surprise that will keep you coming back for more.
.................................................................................................................................... Songs of life and love as observed through the poets eye, embellished by very fine vocal talent and aided by first rate musicianship. In short songs that will strike a chord in the listener and, dare I say it, make us love a little bit more than we do… In a world that rarely stops to ponder amid the hustle and bustle, each listen to this very fine album will reveal a new facet you didn't hear before, an obvious labour of love and well worth a place in your collection.
Oliver A Carroll WLR FM Presenter
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