Mearra: Selkie From the Sea by Chicago folk musician Linda Marie Smith has just been released digitally via BandCamp and a concert film that was recorded at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago will make its broadcast premiere on PBS-WYCC on Saturday, March 7th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. CST.
Mearra: Selkie From the Sea is part of a larger multimedia project and an animated film visualizes the musical adventure as told on the album. That adventure begins with “Ian’s Song,” a lovely piece embellished with flute and tin whistle and deeply rooted in the Celtic folk tradition. Next up, the title song spins the tale of our heroine, a seal who takes human form, marries Ian and gives birth to his children. This track, given it’s ethereal piano/vocals and subject matter, is highly reminiscent of Carole King’s “Porpoise Song.” As the story continues, the upbeat “All of This and More” gives way to the lilting “Water Green, Blue Sky.” “Heaven Knows” is playful given its decidedly Harry Nilsson/Sgt. Pepper‘s swing, while “Seals of Silver and Gold” will appeal to fans of Kate Bush and Tori Amos. “Surrender to the Sea” takes us to the midpoint of the story, and the track is enchanting: folk with shades of progressive rock; Neal Alger’s electric guitar work bringing to mind David Gilmour and Robert Fripp. “I Would Lose You” and “One More Kiss” are both wrought with longing (Mearra transforms back to her original form but struggles with her desire to return to her family as a human), while “Come With Me” is joyful folk/pop that lifts the introspective mood considerably. Mearra: Selkie From the Sea‘s story comes to a close with “To Be With You” and Smith bids a final goodbye on behalf of her heroine as she returns to the ocean.
