Lumiere: My Dearest Dear

West Kerry's Lumiere, aka Pauline Scanlan and Éilís Ní Chinnéide, venture into soft-focus terrain with their second album. The duo are in pursuit of a more mainstream audience, and their vocal harmonies are clearly still their greatest strength, followed closely by canny song choices and melodious west Kerry Irish. Genteel readings of Bó na Leathadhairce and Cailín Deas Crúite na mBó offer producer John Reynolds and guitarist Donogh Hennessy ample room for atmospheric, lush string arrangements. Lumiere's brave decision to cover Sandy Denny's sublime Who Knows Where the Time Goes hints at a robust reinterpretation, but is unmoored by an indulgent, over-emotive guest vocal from Sinéad O'Connor. No boundaries are broken, but Lumiere's mainstream appeal is likely to be copperfastened by this luxuriant snapshot of two fine singers.
lumieremusic.net
Download: My Dearest Dear, Samhradh