Mairead's Upcoming Album

[Tiffany Gray]

I didn't want to say this, because I was afraid I would get swormed by a lot of offended people, but I bought the CD on iTunes. I know it isn't a reflectin of who Mairead is today, and that it was released without her knowledge. I hate that she's not making anything off of it, and I will be buying her new CD when it comes out. But I wanted that CD. I was sad when I heard that it wouldn't be released back in 2014, because I was really looking forward to it. I have listened to every track on the CD, and it's AWESOME! Like I said, I am fully aware of all the information about the CD, and Mairead signing away her rights to it. However, even so, I can tell she put her heart and soul into all the songs. The whole CD is beautiful and relaxing. When I played it for my family, my mom said it almost put her to sleep, because the music and Mairead's voice was so soft.

I really love the CD, and she did an awesome job with it, even if it doesn't reflect who she is now. I can still tell that she put her all into it. I can't wait to get her NEW CD when she releases it.

[White Rose]

I understand Tiffany. I've listened to the entire thing, and I like it. It's really good.

[CWazyTom]

I didn't want to say this, because I was afraid I would get swormed by a lot of offended people, but I bought the CD on iTunes. I know it isn't a reflectin of who Mairead is today, and that it was released without her knowledge. I hate that she's not making anything off of it, and I will be buying her new CD when it comes out. But I wanted that CD. I was sad when I heard that it wouldn't be released back in 2014, because I was really looking forward to it. I have listened to every track on the CD, and it's AWESOME! Like I said, I am fully aware of all the information about the CD, and Mairead signing away her rights to it. However, even so, I can tell she put her heart and soul into all the songs. The whole CD is beautiful and relaxing. When I played it for my family, my mom said it almost put her to sleep, because the music and Mairead's voice was so soft.

I really love the CD, and she did an awesome job with it, even if it doesn't reflect who she is now. I can still tell that she put her all into it. I can't wait to get her NEW CD when she releases it.

Tiffany, I agree with you completely.

I felt horrible about getting it after what happened to her and the last thing I wanted to do is disrespect her or her other fans. But after listening to what was available on YouTube (while it was there), it was just too good. It's honestly one of the best of all the solo albums, in my opinion. Like you said, she put her heart and soul into it and even though it's sad she doesn't profit from all her hard work, I still thinking her work deserves to be appreciated.

I totally respect anyone that honoured the boycott. I know you folks wanted to listen to it too and it was incredibly loyal to show restraint.

So in summary, I understand, Tiffany and I appreciate your courage and love for great music.

[Tiffany Gray]

You don't have to feel bad about getting it though. It's a beautiful CD. I'm obsessed with it. Again I hate that she's not getting anything out of it after all her hard work but I'm sure knowing that it brings joy to people when they listen makes her feel good.

As a musician myself, if I had recorded an album, and then signed my rights away for whatever reason, even though I wouldn't be making any money off of it, I would still want my fans to enjoy it. Even if the album didn't reflect who I am today, knowing that people still enjoy listening to it would make me very happy.

[CWazyTom]

 

[CWazyTom]

One other thing I need to say about this...
Mairead had mentioned that this work was from her early career and that it's not representative of her as a singer today.

I do think she's grown a lot as a singer since this was recorded. She had a soft, pretty voice then and it's gotten stronger and even more beautiful in the intervening years.

On a side-note: the arrangements and instrumental accompaniments are absolutely top notch, some of the most beautiful I've ever heard.

With that said, here are my favorites:

• Oft In The Stilly Night
• Scarlet Ribbons
• You Belong To Me

I also really loved Can't Help Falling In Love a title which sums up exactly how I feel about her music.

[Tiffany Gray]

For me, my favorites are:
Scarlett Ribbons
Only You
Daisy
Wild Mountain Thyme
Can't Help Falling in Love
You Belong to Me
Oft in the Stilly Night

Although I love the whole album, but those are the songs I listen to the most. XD

[CWazyTom]

Have you heard her sing "Streets of London?"

It was on the European release I believe, but not on the North American release.

I heard it a few times on YouTube courtesy of Orchard Enterprises before it got taken down. I liked it!

[Tiffany Gray]

Yep I've heard it and it's on the iTunes version of the CD.

[CWazyTom]

Oh boy, now I feel bad again.

A fan just waited since the pre-order and finally received it. He was really happy and shared a really nice pic of the album with Mairead Carlin.

He had missed Mairead's post about her being out of the loop and basically devastated about the album. I didn't want to see Mairead get offended, so I brought it up. Well, I basically ruined this moment for the fan. So ... lose / lose.

I feel horrible now. 

But who should really feel horrible is the folks that basically stole the album away from her. Shame on them for ruining such a beautiful thing for so many people.

[CWazyTom]

Ok, so a couple of us asked Mairead about Songbook and one of us got a reply.

She wasn't upset that the songs themselves got released. She was only upset that they were released under the pretense that she was still involved.

She gave the go-ahead to post about the songs or the album.

She's not offended if anyone does.

For me personally, this is a pretty big weight lifted off my shoulders and I hope it's a relief to many others who either:

• Got the album and felt really guilty about it, or
• Didn't get the album and felt bad they wouldn't get to hear Mairead's music.

For anyone that still doesn't want to buy the album because they're personally offended by what they did to Mairead...

Here's a link to a playlist of the music from Songbook:
http://www.maireadcarlinforum.com/index.php?topic=501.0

[ShiningBright]

I listened to small parts of it on Spotify. But really, I don't really care to have it. I like each song of it, and Mairéad's voice is lovely, but it is nonetheless a very weak album. Compared to the standard of contemporary pop and crossover, it's good, but by CW solo standard, it's boring, and by the standard of other music I usually listen to, it's the same. Every single song is nice on its own - with The Parting Glass, Scarlet Ribbons, and One More Today standing out - but they make an overused track list. The arrangements are bland, and Mairéad uses about one quarter of her ability, without showing the versatility she is capable of. The whispery style is lovely for a couple of songs, but doesn't fill 45 minutes. In fact, I think the album is a bit exhausting to listen to, because there is some kind of monotony about it. I don't want to - by any means - insult Mairéad. She's doing a great job, but the people behind the album wasted the great talent of a wonderful artist and I am very eager to listen to Mairéad's future works! I love her with CW, I love her contribution to Stay Away From Stars, I think she's fabulous in The Little Prince and I love the small recordings she shows on YT and Instagram. Mairéad herself stated that she grew out of the music she did on Songbook - which I fully understand - and I am very excited for her future, real album, aswell as her upcoming movie song. The whole Songbook incident reminds me, as I have said before, of the contracts MGM used for young actresses in the 40s. The whole album is generally pretty and pleasant, but underwhelming considering what it could have been.

[CWazyTom]

Thank's for posting. That's an interesting perspective.

I agree her voice was underutilized, but I loved it anyways. In spite of all the controversy too. Personally, I thought the whispery style was sort of unique.

I'm very much looking forward to her to new album though knowing she won't be held back.

[Tiffany Gray]

I love her soft voice in the album too. It's almost like a fluffy sweater! And it really does take a lot of effort and talent to be able to sing like that, especially the high notes.

My mother listened to the album and she said it was very relaxing, that it could lull her to sleep.

[ShiningBright]

I like the style a lot - but not for a full album. For individual songs, yes. But I don't think it's unique, in fact, I think it seems to be the standard in pop for sopranros and higher mezzos right now.