[FM] FAME Review: Carol Noonan and Dana Cunningham - The Water is Wide written by Roberta B. Schwartz

[David N. Pyles - FAME]

The Water is Wide
Carol Noonan and Dana Cunningham
http://www.carolnoonanmusic.com
http://www.danacunningham.com/

Noonan Music
695 Dugway Road
Brownfield, ME  04010
1-866-CAROLCD

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Roberta B. 
Schwartz (rschwart at bowdoin.edu)

Carol Noonan dreams big dreams.  One of those dreams is to build a 
performing arts center on her farm in rural Maine.  Sometimes dreams 
come true, and in this case, they do.  Carol Noonan is opening the Stone 
Mountain Arts Center in her backyard sometime in the winter of 2006.

"The Water Is Wide" is a project in support of the Stone Mountain Arts 
Center.  Money raised from the sale of the CD will help fund Noonan's 
dream.  The recording is one of Noonan's best not only because it is 
heartfelt and contains eight wisely-chosen tunes, but because Noonan's 
voice is front and center, graced by the beautiful notes of Dana 
Cunningham's piano.

The recording opens with the traditional "Water is Wide."  This tune is 
always lovely, but Noonan adds a soulful depth made richer by Max Dyer 
on cello.  There are many, many versions of the song out there, but this 
one has quickly become my favorite.

"Fields of Gold," written by Sting, is a contemporary classic.  The 
late, great Eva Cassidy also recorded a memorable version.  What can you 
say about a stunner of a song sung by one of the great voices of the 
modern folk era?  It is haunting, beautiful and mesmerizing as only 
Carol Noonan can do it.

Dana Cunningham, Noonan's wonderful pianist, provides two original piano 
pieces - the quietly beautiful "Welcome to the World/Song for Ava 
Grace," and the lush and moving "Leap of Faith."

In innumerable ballads, Carol Noonan has demonstrated that she knows how 
to tell a tale.  "Without a Trace" is one of those memorable story songs 
about a girl who disappears into thin air.  It breaks new ground for 
Noonan in that it feels like a story out right out of the evening news.  
There are no ghosts out of the past here.  Cunningham's intricate work 
on the piano adds weight to the urgency and emotion in Noonan's voice.  
This Noonan original is the CD's best.

The recording closes with the instrumental "Stone Mountain Lament," 
written by Noonan.  Max Dyer's cello weaves in and out of Dana 
Cunningham's deep and resonant piano.

"The Water Is Wide" is truly a beautiful work of art - a painter's 
palette of gorgeous colors, moods and sounds.  This is a worthy addition 
to any music lover's collection, and an important investment in the 
continuing story of acoustic music.  And besides, you can become part of 
Carol Noonan's dream come true.

TRACK LIST

Water is Wide (Traditional)
Fields of Gold (Sting)
Welcome to the World/Song for Ava Grace (D. Cunningham)
Without a Trace (C. Noonan)
Just Because (C. Noonan)
Leap of Faith (D. Cunningham)
Sail Away Home (C. Noonan)
Stone Mountain Lament (C. Noonan)

Edited by David N. Pyles (dnpyles at acousticmusic.com)

Copyright 2006, Peterborough Folk Music Society and Roberta B. 
Schwartz.  This review may be reprinted with prior permission and 
attribution.


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David N. Pyles
Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
82 Leadmine Road
Nelson NH 03457 USA
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
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Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. --Frederick Douglass