"With largely flute and guitar, the album's overall sound is somewhat
muted compared to the sharper, more piercing note that fiddles and pipes can bring, and
this quality feels modern... With Dearga, the Heatons have a good shot at opening
people's ears and minds."
--Danielle Dreilinger, Northeast Performer"Spacious
and elegant, with a sweet understanding of the old music's parochial charms."
--Scott Alarik, Boston Globe
"Playing flute, whistle and guitars on a selection of
traditional and original tunes and also featuring Shannon’s fine singing voice,
Dearga is a highly commendable affair with a neat balance between energetic tune playing
and quietly observant sensitive material...Their duet playing is tight, sweet, and
tasteful, lacking nothing on either technical expertise or instrumental virtuosity, it
reminds me betimes of the cool spacious landscapes beloved of Deiseal and Davey Spillane.
However, there’s enough fire in the belly to see them kick up some dust as well on
Three Days to Go and Oil or the Chain two other finely wrought sets. Dearga offers music
of consistency and high quality and deserves your willing ears."
--Irish music magazine
"A lovely album, Dearga both
intrigues and satisfies... Shannon Heaton's flute manages to maintain evenness at the same
time it punctuates melodies' synchopated accents. The couple have spoken of their desire
to make sets travel someplace, and this album fulfills that mandate: Moods shift markedly
from one tune to the next...into an almost fugal multiplicity of voices."
--Sing Out!
"Their tunes are a joy...
played with spirit and feeling, proving you don't need a roomful of instruments to fill a
room with music."
--Dirty Linen
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heartland
