SECRET GARDEN – Inside I’m Singing (Universal Records 602517552746)

Secret Garden produce music that I suppose in any other circumstance could be termed on the fringes of ‘folk’. I first came across Fionnuala Sherry and Rolf Lovland when “Nocturne” became Norway’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995. Enchanted by the fiddle played by Sherry and Lovland’s dramatic orchestral sounding score the track earned them first place for what was really an instrumental piece augmented by ethereal vocals. This particular track (in a different setting) opens the album and goes to show how certain music affects us all. As if to prove a point, we have vocal support from the likes of established artists including Elaine Page and even superstar Barbra Streisand! The main track for me though is the great rendition of “You Raise Me Up” featuring Ireland’s Brian Kennedy. Penned by Lovland and Brendan Graham this has of course become a favourite with many artists including Westlife and on this production is underscored by the Uillean pipes of Liam O’Flynn. All in all, this recording is one I’d quite happily play whilst eating a bar of Galaxy luxuriating in the bath…now, can somebody please pass me the soap.

PETE FYFE

Artist website: www.secretgarden.no


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