Eleanor McEvoy, I’d Rather Go Blonde
Posted on 20th Aug 10 by Jane Ward | 
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Eleanor McEvoy is one of Ireland’s most accomplished song writers. In 1992 she penned the unforgettable Only A Woman’s Heart which she performed with Mary Black for the compilation A Woman’s Heart, featuring some of Ireland’s best known female singers and songwriters. I’d Rather Go Blonde is McEvoy’s eighth album in which she tackles issues [...]
Eleanor McEvoy is one of Ireland’s most accomplished song writers. In 1992 she penned the unforgettable Only A Woman’s Heart which she performed with Mary Black for the compilation A Woman’s Heart, featuring some of Ireland’s best known female singers and songwriters.
Eleanor McEvoy, I'd Rather Go Blonde
I’d Rather Go Blonde is McEvoy’s eighth album in which she tackles issues like alienation, hypocrisy, recent Irish history and romance. For Avoidance Of Any Doubt talks about a lamenting soul battling with her absent lover through her solicitor, for not returning calls. The song is cleverly written as if McEvoy is reading out the correspondence between them. The title track is built around a phrase that just made McEvoy laugh. The album features 11 brand new tracks, nine of which were written by McEvoy herself. The album also features a collaboration with Dave Rotheray of The Beautiful South and a cover of Good Times by the magnificent Sam Cooke.
The lead track of the album Look Like Me reflects this sentiment “I do not think it’s up to someone else to tell me how to dress…I wanna look like me.” The song is relentlessly charming with its simplistic plucked violins and McEvoy’s unmistakable accent.
The title track I’d Rather Go Blonde is an uplifting medley of frantic vocals, violins and bells which reminded me a little of The Beatles’ All You Need is Love only on fast forward.
The album’s slower tracks are beautifully constructed. Harbour is a perfect example of how the simplest arranements can be carried by fantastic vocals, and McEvoy’s almost fragile voice makes the song seem almost haunting. Deliver Me touches on a lot of religious undertones. The track begins with monastery style chanting, which, along with a church style organ, is an undertone throughout the song.
I’d Rather Go Blonde is a wonderful album showcasing McEvoy’s talent as a singer-song writer but also her ability to use different elements in her songs to create imagery in a way few other songwriters can. In her own words: “I always try to express myself clearly and honestly. I was the odd one, the tubby girl with glasses who had to go to violin lessons after school. The ray of sunlight was the radio with its music. The escape was learning to sing and play instruments and play with others and write and just get out there. Anyway this album is all me, and I am very proud of it.”
The album is due for release September 17th ahead of an October 8th gig in The Sugar Club.
Drop-d Rating 10/10
Tags: A Woman’s Heart, All You Need is Love, Dave Rotheray, Eleanor McEvoy, For Avoidance Of Any Doubt, I'd Rather Go Blonde, Look Like Me, Mary Black, Sam Cooke, The Beatles, The Beautiful South