Among the album releases of John Spillane, I still frequently revisit his 2006 release The Gaelic Hit Factory. It was nothing short of wondrous and has stood the test of time. Fast on the heels of his 2005 release Hey Dreamer, it was richly woven through with golden threads of poetry, aided by the talented Louis de Paor. It had one of the most incredible album covers, depicting two young boys carrying a blinded angel – a young girl carrying a snowdrop, said to depict healing and rebirth – it was a painting by the Finnish symbolist painter Hugo Simberg. The image served to enrich the contents of the album which was steeped in a beautiful Irish heritage – there were traces strength and passion in those songs – from a land of storytellers, poets and dreamers.
While that album set the standards high, My Dark Rosaleen and the Island of Dreams, released in 2008, more than rose to the challenge, proving yet again that Spillane’s poetic mind was still brimming with a passion…he hasn’t faltered from that path, continuing on this upward trajectory, engaging audiences effortlessly along the way.
“I sing John Spillane songs everywhere I go. John has been my favourite songwriter for the past ten years.”
Christy Moore
With such a proven track record, it is no real surprise that his songs have been covered by such Irish greats such as Christy Moore, Karan Casey, Mary Black, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane and more. So news of a new album release (and an independent one) is something to be widely celebrated. Wondrously titled ‘100 Snow White Horses‘, Spillane’s new album arrives on 2 April 2021.
Inspired by his travels around Ireland, these new songs are full of poetry, Irish mythology and wonder. The album was recorded in London with producer John Reynolds and singer Pauline Scanlon; the trio have previously worked together on John’s albums Hey Dreamer (2005), The Gaelic Hit Factory(2006), My Dark Rosaleen and the Island of Dreams (2008).
“After 10 years and many adventures, we are combining our skills and painting this, our masterpiece.”-
A two-time Meteor award winner for Best Folk/Trad act John is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland. With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The Wells of the World. Twelve albums later, John is set to release his first independent album in 20 years.
Although not from his new album (we’ll have something from the album to share with you soon), Myles O’Reilly’s Arbutus Yarns recently filmed John performing All The Ways You Wander alongside a puppeteer by the name of Des Dillon. This seemed a good a time as any to share it – the song is from John’s 2002 album Will We Be Brilliant Or What?
Website: https://johnspillane.ie/