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| | Reviews | | | | Dirty Linen
March/April 2009 - "a fine Dylan on Velvet"
"a fine and soulful singer ... (Islands on the Moon) marking him as an artist well on his way". | | | | Songlines
March 2009, by Sue Wilson
"Considerable narrative and dramatic talents, as well as rare skill in harnessing lavish ornamentation to emotional nuance". | | | | Scotland on Sunday
14th September 2008, by Norman Chalmers
Islands On The Moon ****
The Ulster singer, bodhran and whistle player steps out from Malinky to record his own album of songs, mainly from the north of Ireland, and interspersed with arresting instrumentals. It's an absorbing album, full of character in original melodic settings of famous lyrics such as in 'The Black Velvet Band' and 'The Banks of Newfoundland', rarely heard tales of hunters and highwaymen, and an a cappella version of Ewan McColl's 'Lag's Song'.
| | | | Green Man Review
By Peter Massey
This is an album that will appeal more to the traditional folkie. The album flows nicely, with some really nice sets of jigs, reels, and tunes mostly written by Mark. They are so good, you would swear they were traditional and that you've heard them before. In conclusion, I have to say this is a fine album and one Mark should be proud of. So if traditional folk music performed in a traditional style is your wont, this is an album for you. | | | | Mike Harding's BBC Radio2 Folk Blog
'a folk classic'
...totally brilliant. Mark Dunlop has a wonderful voice and the ability to be in total contact with his music. Every track on the CD is a real gem, the opening track in particular, I think, will go on to become a folk classic. If I really like an album it goes straight on my iPod. 'Islands On The Moon' went on after I'd heard the first track.
| | | | Irish Music Magazine
November 2008, by Nicky Rossiter
Mark Dunlop may be familiar as part of the group Malinky but now we get to experience him as a solo artiste on this great collection of songs, old and not so old. He returns to his Antrim roots to source some of the tracks on offer here and also shows his talent as a composer on a few tracks.
He opens the album with The Nightingale, which he tells us in the excellent booklet accompanying the album relates to a townland near Ballycastle. He stays in the province as he relates the tale of The Breaking of Omagh Jail. It is sung without accompaniment, giving it a lovely authentic feel. One of the more familiar songs on offer is The Black Velvet Band, attributed in the notes to “every single bloody pub singer”. This is a rather different rendition and it gives the old song a bit more heart, as it is delivered in a more narrative rather than bellowing, boisterous version.
He cites Luke Kelly as an inspiration for his vocals-only rendition of Ewan McColl’s The Lag’s Song, retelling the lament of a prisoner. A song I particularly enjoyed was The Quaker’s Song. It is a strong story song with a bit of humour and as such is the epitome of a good folk song. I was also impressed by the instrumental A 98 March performed on tin whistle and bodhrán to show us how, even with just those simple instruments, the Bargy Men could have still provided stirring march music.
He closes the session with the dark narrative of The Banks of Newfoundland. This album is revelatory in the new arrangements (or is it revived authentic arrangements?), of familiar songs as well as well-written instrumental pieces from Mark. | | | | Penguin Eggs, Canada
Autumn 2008, by Tim Readman
County Antrim’s Dunlop is best known as the flute, whistle and bodhrán player in Scotland’s excellent trad folk band Malinky. He is also recognized as a real talent for his singing in the Ulster tradition. The main ingredients on this CD are Northern Irish songs and instrumental sets of tunes, some of which are Dunlop’s own compositions. He has a rich voice which is a real pleasure to listen to, especially on unaccompanied songs such as The Breaking of Omagh Jail. He is a wicked bodhrán player as his subtle but driving playing on Set of Jigs well illustrates. Astonishingly enough, one of the highlights is a minor key reworking of the oft butchered pub favourite, The Black Velvet Band. Anyone who can breathe new life into that hoary old chestnut has something going for him. An excellent recording.
| | | | The Living Tradition
Issue 81. November / December 2008, by Geordie McIntyre
“Mark Dunlop emerges as a performer of real substance”. “His rescue of the well-worn Black Velvet Band … is truly a revelation. It is an impressive restoration job”. “This album is a wee ‘craicker’”.
| | | | Irish American News
November 2008, by Jack Baker
I highly recommend Mark’s solo CD and the 9th cut on it, “The Quaker’s Song”, which is worth the price of admission.
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