Léirmheasanna - Reviews
David Kidman, The Living Tradition, 2012
"The tender lyrical beauty of Gráinne’s voice is well suited to this choice of songs, whether they take the form of lively ballads or slow airs, but there’s also an understated passion in her fresh ownership of these songs... Gráinne’s authentic yet contemporary-sounding takes on the songs come with haunting, high-quality backdrops masterminded by the album’s producer, Dónal O’Connor "
Aidan O’Hara, Irish Music Magazine, January 2012
"Gráinne Holland has attempted something different in this debut CD of hers, Teanga na nGael, and, happy to say, she has succeeded. The songs are all in the Irish language, some of them familiar, but she has others that are new – at least to this writer – and that is no small contribution to making the songs of the Gael in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man more widely known."
Robert McMillen, The Irish News, 11.08.2011
"a perfect example of the vigour that is to be found in the city’s young Irish speakers. Gráinne’s album has grown out of the elements that have made her who she is - family, community, where she’s from and the love of a Gaelic culture that goes back millennia."
Daniel Neely, The Irish Echo, November 2012
"Holland’s voice is charming, and she approaches her repertory with great confidence and conviction. There’s also a hipness in her music that never seems to overwhelm her traditional outlook....Ultimately, “Teanga na nGael” is an outstanding album from a talented young singer and will interest anyone who loves traditional song."
Bill Margeson
The Chicago Irish American News, Jan 2012 / Liveireland.com
"The deal is the voice. ...along come women like Grainne who cut the crapola. This is a wonderful singer with a unique voice. She will be around a long, long time. And, like so many of today’s best young artists, we can’t wait to watch this young woman and where she goes in her career."
Mike Wilson, Folking.com, 2012
"West Belfast’s Gráinne Holland bursts on to the scene with this impressive debut recording, boasting confident, avant-garde interpretations of largely traditional Gaelic songs, with a full-bodied voice that instils a rich vibrancy, and broad appeal...The triumph of this album ultimately stems from Gráinne’s vocals, though the bold arrangements and accompanying musicians add much to distinguish from more traditional offerings, showing that traditional Gaelic song can occupy a genuinely contemporary position on the musical spectrum, whilst remaining firmly in touch with its much revered origins."
allcelticmusic.com, August 2011
Now this is a smooth Gaelic album. Really well produced and with stunning vocals, kinda 'sultry' if that's allowed in Gaelic song. Gaelic jazz? Gaelic 'pop'?
This is really so good, hard to define, but even non-Gaelic speakers should enjoy it.
Certainly one of the best we have heard in a long time.
RECOMMENDED!!!
Seán Ó Maoilsté, Cairde Teo., December 2011
Reporting on Gráinne's performance at the William Kennedy Piping Festival 2011
"Bhí an amharclann dubh le daoine agus iad uilig ar chipíní ag súil go mór le ceolchoirm speisialta gaelach. Ní raibh díomá ar a raibh i láthair nó thug Gráinne sárthaispeántas don bhua álainn atá aici, mar atá a guth binn láidir. Bhí an lucht féachana faoi gheasa ag an mheascán d’amhráin mheidhreacha agus mór-amhráin chumhachtacha na nGael a tháinig óna céad albam Teanga na nGael."
"The theatre was packed and the anticipation was palpable as the audience awaited a very special Gaelic performance. No one was left disappointed as Gráinne gave a superb display of her beautiful talent, her sweet, strong voice. The audience was captivated during the selection of lively songs and powerful Gaelic ballads from her debut album Teanga na nGael."
