Success just around the corner - EP review

It’s another accomplished effort by Ciaran, whose voice continues to amaze and inspire in equal measures.

His vocals are befitting of any setting, transcending from Tennessee to Tandragee. His songs transport the listener to a land that time forgot where moonshine flows and people don’t have to remember pin numbers and passwords.

Ciaran is familiar to many as frontman of indie folk rockers Captain Kennedy. His solo work ploughs a slightly more introspective furrow though it’s sure to be cherished by anyone who leans towards music with heart and substance.

Ciaran’s debut solo EP - You Will Be A Stranger Now - was released in May. Less than six months later he follows it up with To The Maker Of Things backed by The Bad Hearts. It confirms Ciaran is not a man to rest on his laurels.

The stand out track on the EP is ‘Til You’re Leaving’ which would not be out of place on a Tom Waits album. It’s a tear-soaked ballad of the highest order, which comes to an abrupt end and leaves the listener hungry for more. Elsewhere on the EP Edelle McMahon’s soft tones provide the perfect foil for Ciaran’s distinctive rasp. The video for ‘I Lost’ is available on YouTube and can be accessed through Ciaran’s web page (www.ciaranlavery.blogspot.com). It’s a slick, intricate piece of filming by Paul McParland of Mojofilms.net which tells you everything you need to know about Ciaran Lavery.

Armed with this EP (available via iTunes), major success and prime time airplay are just around the corner for the Lurgan singer.

Ciaran has lined up the following live dates - Thursday, November 4 - Auntie Annies (with John Blek and The Rats, 1930s), Saturday, December 3 - Crescent Arts Centre (with CornCrakes and Malojian), Sunday, December 4 - Black Box.