Barbara Dunne
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Barbara Dunne

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Reviews"


SEVEN/TEN - JACKIE HAYDEN

THE DUNNE THING

BARBARA DUNNE - FINISH STARTING (INDEPENDENTLY DISTRIBUTED)

Kildare-born Dunne has worked with the late Billy Brown of the legendary Freshmen, and won the Dun Laoghaire song contest in 1999 with her own composition ´Driving November´. That track is contained herein, and it’s a tasty Tori Amos-like workout embellished with neatly understated strings and Dunne’s own piano. On first hearing it would be easy to dismiss much of this album as music for people who can only handle "nice" music, but repeated listenings excavate veins of deep riches throughout.

Dunne’s experience as a jazz musician and classical pianist are also in evidence, with many of the songs heavily piano-laden and sporting a string quarter who give full value for money. ´When I’m Hurting´, ´Yours For the Taking´ and ´Starsv are particularly beguiling, not least because while Dunne can really sing, she puts her obvious vocal skills at the service of the song as opposed to the grandstanding preferred by some of her contemporaries. The Joni Mitchell-ish but heartfelt ´Bird´ looks at an ailing relationship and has exquisite harmony overdubs. But ´Mama´, with its hints at ragtime, will be too sugary and showtimey for many, and Dunne’s vocals are less confident on ´Be Kind´.

After a worrying opening, ´Something’s Got A Grip On Me´ slips comfortably into a contemporary grove, and the atmospheric ´What She Can Give Him´ uses plucked strings to fine effect. But for the title track she indulges in the overworked "hidden track" nonsense for which there should be penalty points. When it eventually shows it, it hasn’t been worth the wait, sounding like a clumsy and contrived attempt to rock out.


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- Hot Press


"Reviews"


SEVEN/TEN - JACKIE HAYDEN

THE DUNNE THING

BARBARA DUNNE - FINISH STARTING (INDEPENDENTLY DISTRIBUTED)

Kildare-born Dunne has worked with the late Billy Brown of the legendary Freshmen, and won the Dun Laoghaire song contest in 1999 with her own composition ´Driving November´. That track is contained herein, and it’s a tasty Tori Amos-like workout embellished with neatly understated strings and Dunne’s own piano. On first hearing it would be easy to dismiss much of this album as music for people who can only handle "nice" music, but repeated listenings excavate veins of deep riches throughout.

Dunne’s experience as a jazz musician and classical pianist are also in evidence, with many of the songs heavily piano-laden and sporting a string quarter who give full value for money. ´When I’m Hurting´, ´Yours For the Taking´ and ´Starsv are particularly beguiling, not least because while Dunne can really sing, she puts her obvious vocal skills at the service of the song as opposed to the grandstanding preferred by some of her contemporaries. The Joni Mitchell-ish but heartfelt ´Bird´ looks at an ailing relationship and has exquisite harmony overdubs. But ´Mama´, with its hints at ragtime, will be too sugary and showtimey for many, and Dunne’s vocals are less confident on ´Be Kind´.

After a worrying opening, ´Something’s Got A Grip On Me´ slips comfortably into a contemporary grove, and the atmospheric ´What She Can Give Him´ uses plucked strings to fine effect. But for the title track she indulges in the overworked "hidden track" nonsense for which there should be penalty points. When it eventually shows it, it hasn’t been worth the wait, sounding like a clumsy and contrived attempt to rock out.


¤ ¤ ¤ ¤




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Hot Press


Discography

When the Rain Is Gone (album)
Absolution (EP)
Driving November (single)
Finish Starting (album)
Purchase albums at
www.backstreetmerch.ie

Photos

Bio

Barbara is a well established songwriter and composer from Dublin, Ireland. She has won several major national and international competitions for her songwriting some of which include The Dun Laoghaire Song Contest, the ISC, the Clonmel Song Contest and the Markiewvicz Medal. She currently holds one high profile residency as singer/pianist in Dublin at The K club in Straffan. To date her instrumental music has been used for theatre productions in Ireland and France; as background music in five star establishments in Ireland; promotional music for advertisers and a chain of furniture stores in the US.

Currently you can catch her live as a solo artist and also as the keys player and singer with The All Girl Soul Academy. She is also working with Ger Boland (filmaker) on a film score for a new irish film.