Orla Fallon@Pepperdine University 10.27.11
By George W. Harris

In this day of pop culture which seems to turn its head at every fad
and trend, it’s refreshing to hear someone like Celtic singer Orla
Fallon, who comes from a culture which reveres the past in order to
keep life in perspective.
The Nashville-based Tin Cup Gypsy (Jordan Lawson/fiddle-mand,
Cassandra Lawson/perc, Jonathan Lawson/g, and Tyler Oban/dr) set the
tone of the concert by opening up with some country folk cum gospel
readings of tunes ranging from “Ain’t That Peculiar” to “Death Came
Knockin.” The mix of styles didn’t matter, what did was the respect of
the timeless qualities of hope, eternal life, love and fighting life’s
challenges, and the musicianship this young band displayed was flexible
and impressive.

Ms. Fallon joined the band on stage with an additional fiddler (Amberly
Rosen) and keyboardist (Dan Shea) and turned the Cumberland Gap feeling
into a pub in Galway with an enthusiastic collection of traditional
Irish tunes and stories she’s learned at the feet of her grandmother.
On tunes like “Brave Warrior” or “On a Distant Shore,” her voice was as
clear and pure as Waterford Crystal. On tales like “Two Sisters” or “A
Mighty Mermaid,” her mix of harp playing and singing made music as
grandiose as the Cliffs of Mohar, while the stomping “Spanish Lady” had
you feel like you were in for the third go round at the Turk’s Head
Temple Bar. Her facile technique on instrumentals like “Eleanor
Plunkett” was a perfect compliment to her vocal skills, making the
audience feel at one time like a guest at her home, or on the way for a
night out on a run of pubs. Musically and culturally, the music was as
filling and refreshing as Guinness on tap.