Lore is here. It’s the new album by Irish artist Orla Fallon. You might have recognized her from the famous Celtic Woman. Fallon is back with her latest offering of notable influences. You’ll find Traditional Irish, Americana, and even Bluegrass. I am quite surprised that this album feels so personal. It’s not grandiose compared to Celtic Woman but rather, something you can curl on a ball, in front of a fire.
Her soft and sometimes quiet voice feels like a healing hand. Songs like Roseville Fair, Wild Mountain Thyme, and Parting Glass have this quality where she makes them her own. She actually makes all the songs in this album her own. Her vocal prowess finds her peers with artists like Alisson Krauss, Sarah Jarosz, and Emmylou Harris. On a transatlantic scale, her folk songs remind me of Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon.
I am impressed with the production technique of this album. Only light percussion was incorporated, and more acoustic instruments are given importance. This release is quite an accomplishment in an era where all albums sound loud and overblown. You can really tell she loves her Irish music with a passion. You can also know that she has great respect for tradition, and she ensures that the sentiments are showcased. Yes, she dusted old traditions and give them a sheen. With love and tender care, in this album called Lore.