Rua

Celtic roots, baby. Dig 'em up and shake those things by moonlight!

So what's this Rua band like? Imagine Enya with a more classical leaning. Loreena McKennit with more sex appeal.

Liz Madden, one magnificent half of the Irish band Rua.

Rua: Dream-Teller (2003)

I was disappointed to find the Rua duo of Liz Madden and Gloria Mulhall look better than they sound. The tracks on their Dream-Teller album just didn't feel natural to me.

Example: The Old Ways fills my mad head with images of Loreena McKennit in a big cloak that flows in the sea wind, singing a true Celtic heart out as her horse thunders along the cliffs. Rua's Ride On paints pictures of agents, publicists, and record company executives in a recording studio, scheming away as two women sing. Those women are unbelievably beautiful, with beautiful voices, but I still see them surrounded by Louis Walsh types.

Gorgeous Gloria Mulhall, whose skills with the violin give Rua a lovely distinction.

"The poor things!"

Pity is not a good reaction, when listening to a new artist.

Ah well. Perhaps I'm being uncharitable. There are noteworthy cuts off the CD. Dream-Teller packs passion into its short instrumental space. Ride On, a classic by Jimmy MacCarthy, works with a seductive voice delivering the See-Ya line. I am of Ireland is a poem by W.B. Yeats, recited by Gabriel Byrne. The Rua babes have set it to music, creating the highlight of the album.

Oh! Louis Walsh- if you don't know who he is, be grateful! He's the imp who ruined Irish radio. Exporting his Boyzone and Westlife and their noxious generic spawn, he's doing his best to lower musical standards worldwide. And what's a grown man doing, hanging out with all these underage teens? Highly suspect. Louis Walsh should be abducted and held in a brewery, not to be released until he learns at least three power chords on the electric guitar.

Whether it's new wave or new age, Mick sez, the stuff has got to rock.

So: pick up Dream-Teller if you're interested in discovering a polished little package of Irish tunes. Or check them out in concert, if their capricious travels bring Rua into your area.

Did I mention that they are absolutely, amazingly gorgeous?

- Added to the DFA Guide, March 2005.

Rua Update, August 2006:

Hurrah! Rua's Gloria Mulhall won 2006's World Fleadh Music Writing Championship at Ballybunion's annual Irish & Celtic music festival. Go Gloria!

D'Oh! Oh! Some Clarifications, July 2007:

Rua's Gloria Mulhall takes naughty-boy Mick to task over his "reviews free of rules" approach...

A photo nabbed from Gloria Mulhall's myspace page.

Hello Mick! Gloria here. Thanks but there are a few things you should have checked out:

1. We don't have an agent

2. We don't have a publicist

3. No member of our record company ever set foot in our recording studios

4. Two women don't sing (check it out baby!)

5. Louis who???

6. I'm flattered that you think we are so beautiful but really dear sir, I think the music sounds way better than we look (and no, I don't think we look bad at all).

I am the producer, composer, arranger, studio director, orchestra co-ordinator, mixing supervisor and mastering supervisor! Oh yeah, the pianist, viola player, violinist & keyboard player.

Ah it took a long time but when something has to be said.......

Gloria

P.S. You can check out some more pictures-of-agents-publicists-and-record-company-executives-in-a-recording-studio-scheming away on www.myspace.com/gloriamulhallrua. It will upset you terribly I fear, especially now you know that all this evil can be contained in one person!

You heard the lady! Go check out Gloria's myspace page. And don't believe a word that the DFA Guide to Dublin tells you. That naughty Mick guy who runs it is into really weird music.

DFA Guide to Dublin! Guide Index Red words? Check the Dub Glossary!