‘Guiding Light’ features 14 new songs which cover a broad range of musical styles from the energetic melodic rock of ‘Such A Thrill’, ‘The Sound’ and ‘Misgivings’, the chamber pop of ‘Love Happens’, ‘Let Love In’ and ‘You See’ and string laden balladry of ‘Break The Spell’, ‘Disfigured Heart’ and ‘Before’. The album was produced by Steve Shannon, an engineer and producer who has worked in the Dublin music scene for the last ten years and also a member of the electronica group, Halfset. The rhythm section features the combined mastery of drummer Declan Herbert and bass player El Byrne, the duo are presently setting the Dublin scene alight with their new music project, Noise Control. The string arrangements were written by Linda Buckley, one of Ireland’s most talented contemporary classical composers, and feature the formidable talents of cellist, Kate Ellis and the soulful viola of Marja Tuhkanen. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Hegarty played everything else on the album including guitars, Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, vocals, glockenspiel and percussion. John Hegarty’s debut album, Twilight was released in 2000 and was described by Leagues O’Toole of No Disco as a ‘masterful’ and timeless’ record. Hegarty also featured in the first RTE TV series of Other Voices: Songs from A Room and his song ‘Limerick’ was featured on the Other Voices album as well as becoming a favourite cover of Glen Hansard and The Frames. On ‘Guiding Light’, Hegarty refused to restrict himself to one style and tried to record a collection of quality songs in varying styles that demonstrate his ability and range as a musician and songwriter. The album was influenced by the classic pop songwriting of Burt Bacharach, Brendan Benson, Scott Walker, Tim Buckley and Paul McCartney, the rock musings of Big Star, The Velvet Underground and Dinosaur Jr. and the country soul of Gram Parsons and The Byrds. Three new tracks, ‘Such A Thrill’, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘You See’, are a sneak preview of the musical delights that will be unleashed when the album is released earlier next year.| |
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