Reviews
“A wonderful talent. Emilie Conway sings her songs from her heart. She really means what she sings.” – Sheila Jordan, USA
“A heart stealer with the voice of an angel, smooth, mellow, sincere and deeply connected to both music and lyrics. She is no imitator but has a fresh approach and a sound that lingers on …” – Fionna Duncan, UK
Jazz: Emilie Conway splendid in the John Field Room by Grainne Farren, The Sunday Independent
Published 25/08/2014 | 02:30
Emilie Conway gets better all the time. Her lunchtime appearance in the John Field Room last Wednesday found her in splendid voice, with a relaxed stage presence and no sign of her early diffidence. Johnny Taylor (piano), Damian Evans (bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums) backed her in a concert called Jazz on a Summer’s Day. The title was inspired by the famous film of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.
The programme was full of light and shade, with songs ranging from Vernon Duke’s Taking a Chance on Love to Sandy Denny’s Who Knows Where the Time Goes? A vocalese introduction to My Shining Hour showed her mastery of tricky intervals. In an Alec Wilder tune, Is it Always Like This? she began very softly before building up the emotion and letting the power of her voice ring out.
– See more at: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/jazz-emilie-conway-splendid-in-t…
Jazz on a Summer’s Day at the National Concert Hall, August 22nd 2014 – Review by GoldenPlec
… Conway is full steam ahead, her own vocalese to Coltrane’s solo demonstrating her abilities to their fullest, flitting through the lyrics at a tempo most rappers would be envious of, while maintaining a bouncing melody and clarity of diction throughout. We would look forward to a few more originals from her in the future as her creativity could clearly lead to something great.
The set for the concert ranges from 1924 to 1988, so nothing too contemporary, but twists like the Coltrane vocalese, along with a version of Cinema Paradiso with Conway’s own poem set to the music, keeps the set list far from predictable. These unexpected elements are what give the concert an edge, along with Conway’s lighthearted anecdotes between songs. The other members of the quartet are more than equal to Conway’s abilities, with Damien Evans’ more energetic bass solos particularly noteworthy.
See more: www.goldenplec.com/live-reviews/jazz-summers-day-national-concert-hall-r…
Reviews of debut album: The Secret of a Rose
“Unabashed in its affection for classic, cocktail anthems, the record will appeal to anyone wanting to indulge their inner lounge lizard. Star of the show is Conway’s voice.”
Edwin McFee, Hot Press, May, 17 2012
http://www.hotpress.com/Emilie-Conway/music/reviews/albums/The-secret-of…
“Emilie Conway, a Dublin born jazz singer whose stage debut was an impromptu session with Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling in a Chicago club in 1999, is possessed of a set of air freshner tones and uses them to very adroit affect on this collection of jazz standards (everything from Michel Legrand to Cole Porter with one original thrown in). But she’s not the only performer to impress – pianist Johnny Taylor also plays a blinder. Yet another re-invention of the jazz wheel it maybe, but it’s still a beguiling and balmy listen.” * * * *
The Sunday Business Post, Album Reviews, Jonathan O’Brien, March 18
“The Secret of a Rose is a jazz singer’s album in the classic style. Emilie Conway’s unaffected, slightly breathy voice has an authentic quality which renders even the most sacharine songs believable, and with a consummately professional job from bassist Dave Fleming and drummer Dominic Mullan (and some moments of magic from Taylor) dusty chestnuts such as Time After Time, So in Love and It Might as Well Be Spring come up smelling of roses” * * *
The Irish Times, Cormac Larkin, March 30
“THIS young Irish singer combines a love of melody with a feeling for the nuances of lyrics. Her diction is spot-on at every tempo. She has the kind of straight-ahead style that appeals not only to jazz fans but also to a more mainstream audience. Her musicians are second to none when it comes to sensitive backing.”
The Sunday Independent, Grainne Farren, April 7
Review of “The Secret of a Rose,” album launch:
“It was absolutely fabulous. (Emilie) sang songs from debut album, The Secret of a Rose, songs to celebrate spring interspersed with chat about a time in Chicago and how she came to be a jazz singer. She has such a fabulous, mellow, sweet voice….I can’t tell you how good it was. It was full. People around us were talking about what a lovely voice she had, they were thoroughly enjoying it. She finished to a standing ovation, did one more song and then finished to another standing ovation. Absolutely fantastic.”
Review of Concert at Linenhall by Gary Browne on Mike Riichard’s Show., Jan 31st: CRCfm
“Emilie Conway’s voice is a clear, calming and beautiful thing. Her honesty shines through each song that she interprets, forging a deep connection with the listener.’
– Alan Meaney Athlone Community Radio: From Major To Minor
“a really good evening of jazz on the launch of Emilie Conway’s new CD The Secret of a Rose. The Emile Conway Jazz Quartet, with Emilie, voice, Johnny Taylor. piano, Dave Fleming, double bass and Dominic Mullan, drums were first class and played a lovely mix of standards and some new composition all of which can be found on the CD. A standing ovation at the end of the show was only what this Singer and trio deserved. I look forward to hearing them very soon again”
Review of Concert at Ballina Arts Centre by Tommy Murphy, Midwest Radio, MWR FM
“Emilie Conway has a beautifully positive approach to delivering her music, her presence, not to mention her beautiful voice. It is performers like Emilie Conway that lift the spirits of people and give them hope and a renewed approach to realise “Spring” is always in the air.”
Tommy Morahan WestCoastFm
“Emilie has a warmth in her voice which can only be enhanced by the thoughtful musicianship employed throughout her debut album “The Secret of a Rose.” This quartet have been working together for a number of years – and it shows. There is a listening comfort in knowing that the track selection and arrangements have been carefully worked out over an extended period. Johnny Taylor is a young pianist with great style and timing which is a fulcrum around which Dave Fleming ( double bass ) and Dominic Mullen on drums deliver of their best.
The season of spring is a dominant theme in proceedings which suggests to this listener that more musical goodies are in the offing and I am confident that as she goes into the summer her following on release will benefit enormously from this recording debut!”
-Album Review by Sean Brophy, Jazzorama, Dublin City FM 103.2 and Jazz Spec, Dublin South FM, 93.9