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John Ennis always sings with conviction and sincerity, even on casual occasions. He never compromises the integrity of his song. The storyline is paramount to him and his fine musical voice enhances brilliantly every song he sings. Whatever the occasion he gives a full commitment to perform. “I won’t go ‘til John sings,” says a man on his way to a meeting. He knew the song was worth waiting for, it always is.
John Ennis’s singing style follows the general route of the unaccompanied singer, and the chiefs of such who thread a beaten track themselves. But he is not concerned, however, with the time honoured notion of the man singing long songs over a turf-fire on a winter’s night, whiling the time away. Though, John could sit and sing with him at the fireside, singing robust songs of the day, and then move into the parlour to entertain a more genteel gathering with polite songs to suit their mood. His widely appealing singing qualifies him to sit at anyone’s fireside, in any company.
John selects his songs carefully judging the mood of the occasion in formal sessions, appealing reverently to the ladies preference for sentimentality, and in informal sessions gives wimpish outbursts of light-hearted songs. He is not a man wanting to sing every song in the session, but when nudged into the spotlight can indelibly date the occasion.
I know John Ennis’s singing better than most, having travelled with him to fleadhanna and ballad sessions for many years, where the big songs of the massed sessions satisfy sublimely and where the faithful listener completes the circle of old and new friends. On such occasions John Ennis’s singing in full flow would gladden your heart.
This song selection represents his varied repertoire. The mood changes from the “Tomhaggard Martyr”, a fine song recalling local events in Cromwellian times, written by Nick Kinsella, to the light-hearted “ould-cod” “The Salt”. From the new setting of Sigerson’s “Mountains of Pomeroy” to the evocative “Orchard” by Kevin Evans, contrasting with French’s immortal “Ballyjamesduff” and the sad lament for my dear brother Jack, these all combine to give a truly memorable collection of fine songs.
- Paddy Berry, September 2008
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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