Daniel O’Donnell & Mary Duff

Rosette Records ROSCD 2090

****

Daniel O’Donnell and Mary Duff have toured together for twenty years now. Their travels have taken them to Australia, New Zealand, North America, Canada and both at home, where they have consistently played and filled every major venue, and abroad, where they have built up a massive fan base. They recorded their first duet album, TIMELESS, eleven years ago, so this latest release has been a long time in coming. True, there are those who scoff at the mere mention of O’Donnell’s name but they fail to appreciate some important facts. Firstly, he has been at the top of his game in Britain for the past two decades. He is one of the few artists in any field of music who can undertake two major national tours every year, playing major venues and filling every seat. Contrary to claims that he only attracts what are unkindly referred to as ‘the blue rinse brigade’, anyone who has ever attended any of his shows would be forced to concede that his appeal traverses all age ranges although perhaps, on balance, there may be a greater percentage of fans of mature years amongst his audiences—and why shouldn’t there be? Music does not belong exclusively to the young and Daniel and Mary have successfully found a niche, meeting the needs of a very large group of dedicated fans who have little interest in the current pop scene. Secondly, after years of perseverance, Daniel has finally cracked open the American market. To date PBS Television has recorded a number of Specials which have been watched by some sixty million viewers and sales of his albums and DVDs have rocketed. It is difficult to argue with success.

Neither Daniel nor Mary would claim to be country singers although it should be pointed out that both of them enjoy country music and are surprisingly knowledgeable when it comes to the genre. On this, their second duet album, they have painstakingly selected a number of well known country songs and have presented them in their own way to a very much wider audience who may otherwise never have heard a number of them before. Among these are two Buck Owens’ numbers, Together Again, a most apt album title, and the bouncy I Don’t Care, a most pleasing rendition of the Louvin Brother’s classic, Are You Teasing Me, Timeless And True Love, a Top 5 hit for the McCarters twenty years ago, You’re My Best Friend, the Keith Whitley / Lorrie Morgan duet, Til’ A Tear Becomes A Rose, the Roy Drusky/Pricilla Mitchell hit Yes Mr Peters, which topped the Billboard Chart in 1965, and the infectious Dolly Parton penned Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man. Stone country renditions? Not at all, but patently aimed at the fans whom the duo have come to know so well and which make for a pleasurable, easy listening experience. The couple have added other numbers with which older fans will be very familiar, the Carpenters’ Top Of The World, The Carnival Is Over, a smash hit for the Seekers, the perennial My Happiness, recorded countless times over the years and a one time hit for Connie Francis back in the early 1960s, and a personal favourite of both artists, Harbour Lights, which dates back to 1937 and again has been recorded numerous times over the years by artists like Bing Crosby, Vera Lynn, the Inkspots and the Platters. Not quite so convincing is the closing track, Save Your Love, a Number One hit for Renee and Renato in 1982, but the duo’s rendition does, admittedly, go down well with live audiences. There is one original number, Do You Think You Could Love Me Again, written by Kevin Sheerin, who also features on the album playing electric and steel guitar. The backings vary from the simple to full blown strings and brass, but producer, John Ryan has struck a good balance and O’Donnell’s road band are included among the musicians, Billy Burgoyne, Ray McLoughlan, Ronnie Kennedy, Steve Milne, Richard Nelson, with the sweet voice of Trionagh Moore among the backing vocalists. Also making a valuable contribution on guitar is Ray Lynam. Mary and Daniel share the lead vocals, but when Daniel sings lead, a special commendation to Mary for her excellent harmonies.

The CD comes with a free eight track DVD, (limited edition), with segments from shows in Branson along with numbers recorded from various other concerts, a ‘gift’ which will delight fans of Daniel and Mary. Larry Kelly

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