SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LUCY MacNEIL – ANGELS WHISPER

LUCY MacNEIL
ANGELS WHISPER
LUCY MacNEIL MUSIC

Lucy MacNeil is one of the founding members of the band The Barra MacNeils, who are a Canadian institution. The family has been making music since they were children in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. However, in 1986 they went professional and released their debut album, The Barra MacNeils. They are known as primarily a trad/Celtic band but over the years they have developed into much more and as a band they have released 17 albums. They are also very influential and have created their own sound and path within the genre of Celtic music. After all those years, Lucy MacNeil has decided to strike out on her own, and after almost 40 years as a musician/singer/writer, she has made her solo debut album, Angels Whisper.

This album is a mixed bag of treats. MacNeil does not merely tap into Barra MacNeil territory. There are traditional instrumentals, such as the exquisite “Starlings On The Roof” and “The Amber Mandolin Set”, but on her debut solo, MacNeil tries her hand at country (the beautiful “Radio Sweethearts”), pop ballads (the title track “Angels Whisper”) and Canadiana folk (“Do You Love An Apple”). All these styles come together to produce a brilliantly cohesive album. At no time does the switch in genre sound jarring, in fact quite the opposite.

MacNeil has learned a lot over the years. The Barra MacNeils themselves have never stayed entirely in one genre. One of their biggest hits, “Darling Be Home Soon”, was a cover of a Lovin Spoonful song. She continues that love of all music on this album. Her cover of “Sally Gardens”, for example, has a beautiful and sparse arrangement, featuring her incredible harp playing. By maintaining an uncluttered sound, her voice and the beauty and sadness of the song come across perfectly.

MacNeil has always been an incredible fiddle and harp player, but not enough credit is given to her voice. She has an incredible expressive and emotional voice and here on Angels Whisper she demonstrates her remarkable ability. The title track, for example, a deeply personal song, features some of her best vocals ever. Set against another sparse but effective arrangement, the song and her vocals soar.

Angels Whisper is a personal album. The last track on the album is the moving “Moments We Remember”, which is an instrumental until the end, at which point we hear the voice of MacNeil’s mother who sings to end the album. The MacNeil’s lost their mother last year, and this song is a beautiful tribute. It is also a stark and bold statement about loss.

Angels Whisper is a brilliant, stirring album. It is an album that captures the listener’s attention and embraces the listener with the incredible music throughout. While all of the Barra MacNeils should be proud of all of their accomplishments and albums, Lucy has every right to feel the pride of producing a stunning album.

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