by Eric Fitzgerald
SONGWRITER Karen Egan is back in Ireland after a three year absence to preview tracks from new album ‘Charlatanne’ with a five-stop tour of the country. She takes in Limerick this weekend, stopping at Dolan’s this Friday 27.
Karen Egan originally qualifying as a barrister but was soon lured to The Abbey Theatre stage. With comedy trio The Nualas, she toured Ireland, Britain, Singapore and Australia, performing in all the major festivals to sold out venues for several years in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
This Irish multilingual chanteuse and comedienne is now concentrating on her own music but has also been commissioned to write a play in Finnish, ‘Kippis’, for Rakastajat-teatteri which she will perform solo in Spring and Autumn this year.
In Karen’s new show and second album ‘Charlatanne’, Egan moves from the pulse of cabaret and ditches her inner Dietrich. Her new sound has been described as an explosion of originality performed in a wide variety of musical genres. “In short, it’s a rollercoaster of styles, embracing hip-hop, pop, jazz, country, French ballad, bluegrass and gospel… with lush, lamenting strings and sassy brass arrangements, groove guitars and superb musicians to boot.”
The show is a more contemporary repertoire than we are accustomed to from Karen. She will still continue to make her infamous quips and costume changes, making for a thrilling night of comedy and new music.
Part French-part Finnish-part charlatan, but all Irish, living between Finland and Ireland has given Karen the opportunity to draw from two completely contrasting cultures and influences. Embracing a period of change and adjustment, many of the songs from this new album were composed during this very creative time.
On the demanding business of making the new album, she states, “it’s worth every penny if it’s done right, with the best musicians.”
Karen Egan plays Dolan’s this Friday February 27.
