Orla Fallon

Orla Fallon

Distant Shore

Green Hill

www.OrlaFallon.com

Orla Fallon is best known for her work as vocalist and harpist for the wildly successful Celtic Woman franchise. You also may have seen her features alongside Jim Brickman this holiday season on the PBS Special, “Beautiful World.” Whether you are a potential fan or an already rabid one though, Distant Shore makes it easy to recognize Orla Fallon as a major star in the pantheon of World Music. The album was produced by multi-platinum producer Dan Shea (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, etc.) and Eoghan O’Neill (of Irish folk rockers Moving Hearts).

On Distant Shore, Fallon continues in an expected vein, while developing a poppier sensibility without “crossing over.” This album is all about gorgeous melodies, no matter what accompanies them. From the traditional sounds of the “Eleanor Plunkett” duo of songs to the smooth and soaring album opener “Who Knows?...” to the country pop tinge of “Voices on the Wind,” this album is built quite wonderfully around Fallon’s incredible voice. “Simple Love” is another gorgeous moment that will put you in a meditative mood from the first few notes. Fallon’s voice on both this song and the title track is more instrument than voice as a matter of fact. I dare say that she could be singing the phone book and I’d still enjoy it every bit as much.

There are few truly unique voices left in the modern music world, but Orla Fallon is certainly one of them. Distant Shore is absolutely stunning. It dares to move a little left of center here and there but provides more than enough material for longtime Celtic Woman fans to connect with, just in case they dislike the “daring” moments. This is a wonderful album from start to finish that anyone looking for some quieter, peace seeking moments should seek out.

By Mark Fisher