Eleanor McEvoy returns to Passionfruit

Since bursting onto the Irish music scene in the early 90s, Eleanor McEvoy has garnered critical acclaim a with her shows regularly attracting fans from across the country who are drawn to her unique voice and powerful songs. And Athlone audiences will have the opportunity to witness this talented performer for themselves when she returns to the Passionfruit Theatre on Friday, March, 13 next at 8pm. Eleanor McEvoy"s latest record typically strikes out in a new direction. Love Must Be Tough is an album that explores the ebb and flow of romance through distinctly non-rose tinted glasses. These are not songs of innocence but songs of experience. McEvoy is renowned for bucking the norm, consistently defying categorisation. Reflecting on her six previous offerings, a distinct pattern emerges. It"s quite simple really - she weaves between musical styles as a rite of passage, her life, thoughts, loves and losses recorded over 15 years. A musician who records consistently over such an extended period is simply registering their walk through life. Listening back on her records is akin to an evening spent reminiscing over dog-eared family photo albums. Her 1993 self-titled debut release was her bed-sit album, first loves, first disappointments, the singer songwriter emerging. What"s Following Me (1996) was McEvoy"s rebellious album, a spiky grunge laden affair that shuddered and spat at the world. Snapshots in 1998 saw McEvoy shirk off the introspection and begin to explore the world outside her own bubble. The 2002 album Yola showcased McEvoy gaining confidence as both woman and artist, stripping away the musical machinery and laying out her inherent musical talents, raw and bare. Early Hours followed three years later, a laid back McEvoy emerging with a sonorous 4am album. Her last release, 2006"s Out There, depicted the quirky, feisty, tongue in cheek McEvoy. And now Love Must Be Tough, where McEvoy interprets songs that have moved her for many years. Love Must Be Tough is a collection of tracks, typically sung by men about women (apart from the track Hands Off Him). When sung by a woman, with the minimum of alteration to the lyrics, the words breathe a different life and tell a new story. McEvoy"s mischievous side revels in the gender juxtaposition. This gifted artist is sure to provide a great night of musical entertainment. Tickets are priced at €20, available in the "Carry Out" Off-Licence, Baylough.