“I’ve always sang. Dad is a tenor and has a great voice and it just seems like I’ve always loved singing. Since I moved over to Ennis, people have always asked me have you recorded anything and this year I just decided to do it. It was incredibly stressful but at the same time it has been so rewarding and it has turned out so well and the reaction from people, has just bowled me over. I’m so proud of having done it and doing it well. I am indebted to the wonderful musicians who have helped me with the album, and there’s a lovely mix of good musical people on the CD that came on board and gave selflessly of their time,” Vincent explains.
Among those who feature on the album include Nigel Bridge on piano, David McCarthy and Al Kaye on guitar, Fiona Walsh on accordion, Méabh de Buitléir on harp, Clodagh Power on Cornet and Emer O’Flaherty who played piano for Love Walked In.
Asked about the process of choosing the right songs for the album, Vincent explains that out of the millions of songs out there, the ones he has included have all been favourites of his over the years.
“I was brought up to be very proud of my Irish and Italian background, so two of my favourite Irish songs that had to be on there were Danny Boy, and She Moved Through the Fair. Because of the shows I would have done, another favourite of mine is If I Loved You, from Carrousel. While Smoke Gets in Your Eyes was the first record my mother ever bought and that’s the last track on the album. It’s easy in a way to pick songs because there’s a connection and personal attachment to the songs,” he explained.
However, Vincent added that he was extremely conscious of his song choices and recognises that not every song works with his voice. That being said, he believes that he has chosen songs that all suit his voice.
Vincent attributes his singing techniques and abilities to great teachers and listening to great voices.
However, he admits that his father was always giving him good advice, but as he says, like asking a family member to teach you to drive, it never really works.
“He was always right, and if I’d listen to him then, who knows. But for me one of the greatest teachers was listening to good voices like Mario Lanza, or phrasing like Frank Sinatra, of course great credit is due to my music teachers,” he said.
So where to for Vincent now that his CD has hit the shelves in Record Rack and in Xtra Vision in Ennis, where Vincent currently works as manager.
“From here, I’d love to put on a concert in the spring and get together with some of the musicians on the album. But the main goal is to carry singing,” he concluded.