Music
Press
Armed with a voice both haunting and soothing, acoustic guitar in hand, Barry is a captivating singer/songwriter - Shannon Ambrose, Managing Editor - Artist Launch Magazine
A very pleasant 50 plus minutes of music. Music that is a bit of a throwback to the 70's folk scene and is none-the-worse for that
- Dai Woosnam - England
Barry McLoughlin is an Irish born singer-songwriter who lives in Ontario, Canada nowadays. He is influenced by names such as Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson and Harry Chapin. He won his first folk competition at the age of 15. Pieces is his debut cd which contains 14 very nice original songs. Only a singer with his guitar helped by Mike Dillon on bass, electric guitar, bodhran etc. The music does remind me of the American singer-songwriter music of the seventies with often a romantic nature. Love and girls are the main topics of his songs, without being to sentimental or to sweet. The music has some light Irish touches but should be considered as pure acoustic singer-songwriter. McLoughlin has a strong voice which is a pleasure to listen to and fits his bit romantic music perfectly. The same for the instruments, well arranged and play in a gentle but professional way perfectly fitting his voice and songs. A strong debut cd from this Irish/Canadian singer-songwriter.
Eelco Schilder - Folk World CD Reviews
EXCELLENT! lyrical story telling at its best!! Highly recommended!!!
Reviewer: Shannon Ambrose
Barry McLoughlin may be following in the footsteps of other great musical story tellers like Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Chapin and Neil Young, however he is cutting his own path in the world of narrative music. Armed with a voice both haunting and soothing, acoustic guitar in hand, Barry is a captivating singer/songwriter. Born in Dublin, Ireland but raised in Canada, Barry brings his own unique influences to his music. From drawing on Celtic roots, traditional folk/country influences, to the rugged beauty of Northern Ontario, Canada where Barry calls home, this talented troubadour shares his visions through lyrical tales told with care and passion. Barry’s 14 track debut release, Pieces, is a treat not just to the ears, but to the senses as well. With each song, Barry’s magical voice weaves us through stories of love, life and longing. With tracks such as “The Most Wonderful Girl In The World”; a father’s love song to his daughter, “5th Avenue”; a tale of forbidden love, or “We’ve Got Love; a song with a simple melody yet beautiful, touching lyrics. Each track on Pieces radiates from within Barry’s gentle, smiling soul as his gift of music touches your senses with passion and tranquility. The days of the singer/song writer, sitting on a stool strumming an acoustic guitar are not long gone. They are alive and well and living within Barry McLoughlin. An artist who’s true passion in life is to share his visions through his song and hopefully by doing so, touch one’s soul with his own.
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!
Reviewer: Lisa
This by far is my all time favorite CD I own. Barry has a special gift that reaches to your inner soul and touches your heart. My favorite song is ~Dance For Me~ I highly recommend buying Barry's CD, and when I listen to it, I dance as if no one is watching. Thank you Barry for all your song, they are such a special gift.
I call this CD "Songs From The Heart"
Reviewer: Netty Verburg
Only a few artists are having the "spirit" and the talent to talk to us,to give comfort, hope and a smile.This singer/songwriter has a lovely talent...he can put sentence into sentences.His lyrics brought tears to my eyes. I am waiting now for his next CD, hopefully a DVD.
Whether listening or singing along a truly enjoyable piece of artwork
Reviewer: Steve Hargett
I found myself quickly singing along with this quite ejoyable piece of work. The lyrics seem to come from the heart and of course they represent all the emotions each of us have experienced. Great find by listening to whole wheat radio and am already anticipating his next cd. - International
Barry McLoughlin tells incredible stories of love. Whether you are at the end of a beginning or the beginning of an end, Barry Mcloughlin delivers a powerful message. His lyrics tell an incredible story describing the joys and pains of love and the harmony behind it all. An enchanting mixture of songs for anyone in love with the immortal feeling of love.
Heather Bourne
- Roots Music Report
Celtic World, Glen Clifford, Australia "A very personal touch on each song and a performer with no pretentious or over-trained vocal style"
Visiting the Folks, Bill Hahn, Ohio ". . . a really wonderful CD"
Country Folk, Achim Biermann, Germany "It's a really good one, just the kind of music me and the listeners like to hear"
Folk and Roots, Colin Fielding, Australia "Had a chance to listen to it a couple of times and I think it's terrific"
American Roots Music, Mike Penard, France "I have a high respect for artists like you who give the listeners the feeling that the artistic process is the search of quality"
- International
Barry McLoughlin tells incredible stories of love. Whether you are at the end of a beginning or the beginning of an end, Barry Mcloughlin delivers a powerful message. His lyrics tell an incredible story describing the joys and pains of love and the harmony behind it all. An enchanting mixture of songs for anyone in love with the immortal feeling of love.
Heather Bourne
- Roots Music Report
As a songwriter, I recognize "real" when I hear it. If you have a heart, you will too. I don't know Barry. I just discovered him on MySpace. One knows when someone has lived his songs, someone real like you and I. True talent to me, is the ability to crawl inside my heart and comfort me, scold me, make me feel good. Tonight, "5th Avenue" and "The Most Wonderful Girl In The World" are mine -- it is something you cannot explain. You live it.
- Jimmy Dow
As a songwriter, I recognize "real" when I hear it. If you have a heart, you will too. I don't know Barry. I just discovered him on MySpace. One knows when someone has lived his songs, someone real like you and I. True talent to me, is the ability to crawl inside my heart and comfort me, scold me, make me feel good. Tonight, "5th Avenue" and "The Most Wonderful Girl In The World" are mine -- it is something you cannot explain. You live it.
- Jimmy Dow
'5th Avenue' from Barry McLoughlin is one of the finest acoustic folk songs to come along in some time. It's relaxing melody takes you back to a simpler way of life. The charming lyrics can bring either a sparkle or tears to your eyes. This is the type of song you can play with enjoyment in front of a roaring fire or an adventurous drive along the Trans-Canada Highway. Highly Recommended
Chris White - Party at Kingston. com
'5th Avenue' from Barry McLoughlin is one of the finest acoustic folk songs to come along in some time. It's relaxing melody takes you back to a simpler way of life. The charming lyrics can bring either a sparkle or tears to your eyes. This is the type of song you can play with enjoyment in front of a roaring fire or an adventurous drive along the Trans-Canada Highway. Highly Recommended
Chris White - Party at Kingston. com
Discography
"WINDSWEPT" - 2008
14 Original Tracks
"PIECES" - 2004
14 Original Tracks
Photos
Bio
Singer/songwriter BARRY McLOUGHLIN is emerging on the international acoustic scene as a compelling man of words with a charming narrative voice. The Dublin, Ireland born and Southern Ontario, Canadian raised troubadour resides in Sioux Lookout, North Ontario. McLoughlin’s narrative tributes stir the spirit, beckoning ballads still the heart, and landscape portraits capture the wonder of it all. Barry first appeared on the Massey Hall, Toronto stage at age 17 to showcase his original songs. His songwriting craft has been featured across the USA on Tom May’s "River City Folk Show". A remarkable variety of tracks from McLoughlin’s debut "Pieces" CD (2004) received airplay in 18 countries. The 14 track collection of original songs received a 5 STAR rating from Roots Music Report, Texas. McLoughlin’s anticipated "Windswept" CD (2008) has arrived. His pre-release single "Christmas Carol" (Dec ’07) received holiday season airplay across Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Holland, Italy, the Netherlands and the USA. The seasonal ballad hit the monthly TOP 5 for Canadian airplay on Richard Gillmann’s International Folk-DJ List ranking between songs from Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn. McLoughlin’s haunting tributes to Lieutenant General Romeo D’Allaire and the missing young women along Northern British Columbia’s "Highway of Tears" evoke the spirits of silenced angels. His signature voice and romantic ballads probe the recesses of our fragile human relationships. Title track "Windswept" sets the tone, "Canada" transports the listener across the country, "Met on the Internet" brightens the day, and "Harry" commemorates Mr. Chapin. "Armed with a voice both haunting and soothing, acoustic guitar in hand, Barry is a captivating singer/songwriter" (Shannon Ambrose, Managing Editor, Artist Launch Magazine, Canada) "A fine Canadian singer/songwriter in the tradition of Gordon Lightfoot and Blue Rodeo" (Tom May, River City Folk Show, USA) "I have a high respect for artists like you who give the listeners the feeling that the artistic process is the search for quality" (Mike Penard, American Roots Music, France)
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