Val Haines of Mardles

reviews Maid on the Shore by Niamh Boadle

From an Irish family in Lancashire, 21 year old Niamh is currently studying for a Folk Music Degree at Newcastle University but has been involved in music and dance for many years as a classical guitarist and violin¬ist, step dancer, rapper dancer and as a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards finalist. She is primarily a singer, accompanying herself on guitar, but on this album adds fiddle, bod¬hran, whistles and mandolin.

It's a showcase for her original interpretations of traditional and contemporary songs and also for her own excellent skill as a songwriter. The al¬bum opens with her own song Forget me not, based on an 1881 newspaper story concern¬ing the tragedy of local lass Annie Ratcliffe. Another of Niamh's own songs is the jazzy Bill's Missed the Last Boat Back, about her grandfather during World War 2, with a pi¬ano accompaniment from Paul Sartin. Kate Fagan's Roll You Sweet Rain is a treat, with Paul Sartin this time adding an oboe track. The album finishes with the traditional Maid on the Shore given the original Niamh Boadle treatment. Niamh has a style of her own, which is really refreshing to hear. With this in mind, I would definitely like to see her live show.
June 2015