Brian Corcoran just released his acoustic CD Safe In The Harbour to commemorate all of the traditional Irish ballads he learned growing up. It might not be accurate to say he “learned” them. The songs on his debut solo CD seem more apart of him than something he could have simply learned somewhere. He is carrying on a solid tradition on Safe In The Harbour.
Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Corcoran has been entertaining in clubs and concerts for over 30 years in Ireland, Canada, and the United States. Corcoran has shared the stage with major Irish music stars, Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy, Paddy Reilly, Eugene Byrne, James Keane, Shay Healy, and many others.
“Gold And Silver Days” opens his CD with his handsome low tenor making clear he has plenty of experience expressing these songs of nostalgia and tradition. It’s a treat to hear Corcoran hold a note. His voice filled with charm, warmth, and sincerity.
“Go Lassie Go” has the kind of gentle picking to make a sentimental feeling in the backdrop while Corcoran emotes over it with the soft voice approach that is filled with the heart of someone who longs to tell his tale.
Title track “Safe In The Harbor” gives Corcoran a chance to show how much he can achieve in a song he when more emphasis is placed on his voice. Corcoran makes you feel what he is feeling. He nails the proper cadences, with apparent ease, but it’s his uncanny ability to show true affection for the people involved in a decades old event that wins you over.
“The Dutchman” gets more of a story telling treatment. Corcoran slows it down to a pace where he’s almost talking to you. You can picture him sitting on a stool in a listening room with just his acoustic guitar while everyone in the audience watches him in rapt attention.
“Lady Of Knock” brings piano to the forefront, and Corcoran shines with his steady, confident vocal singing over keys. Backing vocalist Julie Dougherty is a big help in bringing out the beauty of this song. Throw in a sensitive, understated piano line from Tom O’ Brien, and you have an interpretation that will reach you in a personal place.
Lifted by Steve Levy’s nimble mandolin playing, “Grace” is Corcoran’s steady, unwavering salute to a brave soul about to face a firing squad. This song could reach a listener without the words, but when you follow the story from Corcoran’s flowing low tenor, it’s a moving testament to duty and love.
“Isle Of Inisfree” is a warm reflection on one’s homeland, and it has a new universal quality, in our new century, now that most of us live or have lived some place other than were we are from. As a performer and recording artist, Corcoran has plenty of useful techniques. Here, he gently picks his melody and his contrast with his more forceful vocal gives him a space to fill up with sentiment. This quality segues into “Red Is The Rose” where Julie Dougherty applies another layer of charm and warmth on the chorus.
“Gentle Annie” plays out majestically with a string backdrop underneath Corcoran’s most sweeping vocal on the CD. The singer stretches his timbre a bit and he brings it to a more affective level. You can hear the beautiful, tender quiver each time he holds one of his handsome vocal notes.
“My Last Farewell” is graced by more of Steve Levy’s tender mandolin playing and “Fields Of Athenry” is a perfect duet of mandolin and acoustic guitar. It should be noted that Corcoran wasn’t always flying solo with his low tenor but that he received some special backing vocals from Craig Moreschi on this recording.
This CD Safe In The Harbour will find a welcome home in the collection of anyone who enjoys traditional Irish music and of anyone who likes to hear a beautiful voice adorned by acoustic instruments. Safe In The Harbour is currently available at the Irish Cottage stores in Burlington and Braintree, Massachusetts and The Music Place in North Reading, Massachusetts.