Brian Houston

‘Songs From My Father’ is a stunning, mesmerising album’ Masterpiece paintings………..allowed to dazzle anew. One listen and I was blown away. His picking was dextrous and sublime, understated but exquisite and dynamic within the taut arrangements. His voice was like a whisper in places, close miked and oozing years of experience and inherent quality. His re-arrangements were simply extraordinary!!! Layers of stunning vocal harmonies, recalling the Beach Boys in places, where they needed to be. richly coloured butterflies, dancing around a Texas campfire late at night. I ‘heard’ the lyrics to many of these songs for the very first time. ‘Songs Of My Father’ is a stunning, mesmerising album Currently on tour England, Houston will return home to launch the album at his headline show on Saturday March 5th in the Empire Music Hall as part of the Belfast Nashville Festival.  When asked why this sudden change of direction from releasing self-written albums, Houston replied: “There’s something about being away from home for a long time that makes you appreciate your culture and heritage. I was being asked for songs from home in the States, and I decided for the first time to look more into the folk music revival of the 1960s, especially after seeing the movie Inside Llewyn Davis. I was reminded of how many great songs my Dad had introduced me to that I’d more or less ignored. The more I thought about it, the more I was inspired by the stories and the melodies of my childhood. The final piece in the jigsaw was bringing John McSherry, another Belfast boy and one of the world’s best uilleann pipers, into the arrangements. With studio wizard Tré Shepherd producing, I believe we’ve created a really intoxicating sound-world. It’s still 100% ‘Brian Houston’ but it’s a sound and a repertoire that will be a real surprise – and hopefully a real thrill – to people who think they know my music.” As for the reaction: “The feedback has been pretty astounding!” says Houston. “People of all ages and parts of the island have remarked how much the songs take them back and remind them of who they are.”  Whilst some of these songs may be a few hundred years old, their tunes and tales resonate with people like they always did. This album feels so freshly minted that one would think the songs had been penned in 2016.  John McSherry’s uilleann pipes and low whistles mingle with Brian’s rich layers of backing vocals and sweet harmonies, and his quietly stunning guitar picking, to create a sound like the Clancy Brothers and the Dubliners jamming with Bon Iver, Brian Wilson and First Aid Kit. A truly unique blend of old and new, familiar and surprising, Songs Of My Father honours not just Brian’s dad but the culture of his homeland too.  They say… It was thirty seconds in when I realized what a really special piece of music this was….one of Britain’s great song writers! Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 Sugar Queen is bristling with hope joy love and fabulous songs **** Mojo A writer of considerable warmth and wit Uncut Houston ensures that there is heartfelt lyrical substance behind every song with a glimpse of his easy humorous rapport with an audience ensures that a spin of this well crafted album invariable ends in a smile. * * * * Maverick Magazine Take almost any individual track and it could be released as a viable single in its own right - such is the strength in depth of Houston's 'masterpiece' Houston positively cruises through his wholesome set-list of thirteen little gems of modern musical genius! A Belfast brogue, silky voice and some bloody great songs, Houston plies all his charm and charisma into this excellent album. A distinctive and compelling, exceptional album. Toxic Pete This naturally engaging performer is able to capture the natural warmth and charm he displays on stage and transfer it to CD. Effortlessly bridges the gap between the impish twinkle in the eye and fragile openness beautifully simple... Net Rhythms Put bluntly this is a wonderful album!. Albums like this are what I love about reviewing. There is so much musical variety and good, strong melodies on here 'The Queen Of Hearts' is one of the best pop rock tunes I have heard all year The audience went mad after he did a live session on my show.... Janice Long BBC Radio 2

Belfast, NIR