February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
SINGING MY HIM SONG
Malachy McCourt
Heees baaack! Just when you thought Malachy McCourt had covered the history of the world in his bestselling "A Monk Swimming," the best known literary brother of the last five years has returned with a new book entitled "Singing My Him Song." This is a rather more personal and introspective autobiographical work with McCourt revealing in its pages some of the deep personal struggles he has faced in a life that has been anything but ordinary. Published by Harper Collins, 242 pages, hardback, $25.
ANTHEM
Ronan Hardiman
Ronan Hardiman’s music has moved hearts but, perhaps more significantly, it has moved Michael Flatley’s feet. The composer of the music for Flatley’s "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet of Flames" blends pop, classical and Celtic styles in his new CD, "Anthem." Singers Leslie Dowdall and Roisín O’Reilly join Dubliner Hardiman on the album, released this week in the U.S. by Decca. Details from www.universalclassics.com/usa.
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ALICE FALLING
William Wall
Cork-based author William Wall’s first novel is a psychological drama which as been dubbed by the Irish Times as an Irish version of "The Ice Storm." It is a tale of terrible secrets, buried emotions, lies and emotions, all lurking behind the facades of seemingly ordinary lives. Wall is a previous winner of the Patrick Kavanagh Fund Award for his poetry and American Ireland Fund Award for his fiction. Published by W. W. Norton, hardback, 200 pages, $23.95.
LOWLANDS
Susan McKeown
Susan McKeown has been one of the most popular traditional singers around these past few years and in this new CD, her first on the Green Linnet Label, the New York-based Dubliner returns to her roots with a selection of songs reflecting both Irish and Scottish traditions. In doing so she is backed by a number of guest musicians including Joanie Madden of Cherish The Ladies. Details from Green Linnet (203) 730-0333.