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The third recording released by Henry Marten's Ghost -  Ireland a Troubled Romance
, is a mature and gloriously unpretentious celebration of the tragedy and hope running through Irish social and political history. The collection is a mixture of traditional and newer
haunting ballads, scattered with a couple of jigs. The strains of longing, anger and sadness in the vocals together with the idiosyncratic interpretation of the music make this much more
than another Irish Ballad collection , and one which will undoubtedly reflect the emotions of many of the Irish Diaspora.
The 11 track recording includes the following :
Come by the Hills has a lingering, haunting melody and celebrates the escapist beauty, joy and hope of the island of Ireland.
Grace tells the story of the tragic romance of Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett, married in Kilmainham gaol in 1916 and allowed no time alone together before Plunkett
was executed. The moving vocals, gentle mandola and soothing fiddle produce a superb interpretation of the O'Meara brothers' song.
In Step in out Mary HMG presents a very individual and moving rendition of a song originally based on a children's skipping rhyme - although unrecognisable as such in
the final lyric. The vocals and lovely fiddle intrerpretation convey the tragic resignation of a lovely Irish woman resisting an arranged marriage for true love.
Follow me up to Carlow written about the Battle of Glenmalure, gallops along with the help of a rumbling bodhran - a stirring rendition of this popular jig.
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