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Artist Description | Moya Brennan
They call Moya Brennan the first lady of Celtic music. It’s one of those titles that sits a little strangely about her shoulders. Not that she’s not a massive influence on the Irish music scene; there’s no argument about that. But what intrigues and astounds and inspires about Moya Brennan is not her status, but her honesty. Take a listen to her forthcoming album Signature and you’ll get the picture: this is an artist who is anything but removed from her audience. An engaging, instantly addictive autobiography in song, a journey through the life of one of Ireland’s most eloquent and enduring musical legends, ‘Signature’ is simply stunning.
Moya Brennan has been at the heart of some outstanding records. She’s enjoyed many years as the voice of Clannad, one of Ireland’s most respected acts. Her music has graced international film soundtracks, including 2004’s ‘King Arthur’ soundtrack, spiritual recordings, several television series and even dance anthems. Rest assured, her status as an iconic singer is in the bag. Right now she’s deserved a rare place, one where her affections indulged and perspectives respected by an international audience. This commitment to honesty as well as excellence has driven her from the start of a career that has notched up sales in excess of 15 million.
Yet success has not bred complacency. Moya’s drive for excellence in expression has led her to produce some stunning work of late. As she says of her album Signature, “I think it’s the best thing I’ve done,” she enthuses. “I’m loving it. I’ve never heard my voice sound the way it does now.”
Moya’s forthcoming album takes her own life as inspiration from highs to lows, Moya reflects with honesty, integrity and, of course, some of the finest vocals and tracks you can ever hope to hear.
Last year Moya also released ‘An Irish Christmas’ which captured the attention of a discerning audience. With its fresh take on respected classics, the album reconnects the ancient with the modern. Christmas 2006 sees the next phase of the plan roll out, with EMI releasing it in North America and Asia.
Moya is often asked whether Clannad is still an ongoing prospect. “The band still exists, even though we’ve taken time out”, she stresses. “There’s still stuff to be done there.”
Moya and two of her brothers, Pol and Ciaran played their first shows with uncles, Noel and Padraig Duggan, in the 70s. All the band members spoke Gaelic as their first language, and their commercial chances seemed modest. However, they made a breakthrough record, Theme From Harry’s Game in 1982, which reached number five in the UK charts and sold over 1 million copies, and appeared on the ‘Patriot Games’ soundtrack ten years later. In 1986, the Clannad release, In A Lifetime, found Moya sharing vocals with Bono from U2. A compilation, Pastpresent, reached number five in the UK albums chart in 1989. The band have won a Grammy® Award (for 1997’s Landmarks), and have provided the theme music to ‘Last Of The Mohicans’ and ‘Robin Of Sherwood’, while Moya also sang the theme to ‘Circle Of Friends’ in 1995. She has also collaborated with a host of musical luminaries including Paul Young, Bruce Hornsby, Joe Jackson, Robert Plant, Shane McGowan Paul Brady and Russell Watson. In 1999 she scored a worldwide hit with Chicane on ‘Saltwater’.
Moya’s solo albums include Maire (1992), Misty Eyed Adventures (1995), Perfect Time (1998), the Grammy® nominated Whisper To The Wild Water (1999) and Two Horizons (2003).
Her autobiography, The Other Side of the Rainbow (2000), was a powerful and honest account of music, fame, misfortune, love and spirituality.
All of which brings us full circle to the life Moya has lived and the integrity with which she tells her story. ‘Signature’ is not some attempt to revise history; instead it is an open-hearted invitation to the listener to join with Moya as she leafs through the pages of a life less ordinary.
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