One Small Star lifts off for Ann

NORTH Clare singer Ann Kirrane will launch her new album One Small Star with a concert at the Mall Theatre in Tuam on Saturday, March 10. Musical accompaniment at the concert will be provided by top session musicians, who were involved in the recording of the album.
Séamie O’Dowd and Garry O’Briain will perform alongside Gary Quinn, Mike Stewart and Ronan Greene.
Ann comes from Belharbour and a long musical tradition. Her father is respected concertina player Chris Droney, who was recently conferred with the title of Clareman of the Year.
Ann learned concertina from her father, and grandfather, Jim, and won the All-Ireland Fleadh Ceóil three times.
Chris Droney, along with other members of the internationally renowned traditional music family will make a special appearance at the concert in Tuam, as will Ann’s daughter, Áine, who also worked on the recording.
Ann’s teenage summers were spent in Lisdoonvarna playing music with her father, Chris, Tommy Peoples, Kitty Linnane and Paddy Mullins of the Kilfenora Céilí Band.
When Ann came to Tuam as a young bank official, she joined the local musical society and it was there she began to sing.
One Small Star is Ann Kirrane’s first CD and was recorded at Tuam’s Sun Street Studios by Kenny Ralph and produced by Séamie O’Dowd. The record shows the full range of Ann’s musical accomplishments.
A sophisticated blend of song, stretching from folk to standards to jazz, carries the listener on a musical and magical journey and expresses all the emotions of a life well lived.
Ann’s clear soaring voice and tender interpretations of songs like If You Love Me, Swanee, Working the Streets and the title track One Small Star show what a fine vocalist she is.
Two of Ann’s own compositions, The Bel Air Hornpipe and Ann Droney’s Reel are included on the record. Her spirited performance of these tunes on concertina is a fitting homage to her upbringing in the heart of the North Clare traditional music-making community.
Ann’s new album is dedicated to the memory of her husband, Noël Kirrane, a man who devoted his live to the promotion of music in young and old.
The concert at the Mall Theatre, Tuam, takes place at 8.30pm. Tickets are available from Quinn’s, Bishop Street, Tuam or by phone on 093 26060.