Reviews

Evening Herald

She may have brought out a single with rock giant Phil Lynott but Tina McLoughlin's dreams have only now become reality. The German-born Northsider is set to launch her first CD tomorrow night at a performance in the Cobblestone Bar to be broadcast live on Near Fm. But she still harbours fond memories of the Thin Lizzy singer, who she met while playing with trad band Clann Eadair.

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The band later released the single. A Tribute to Sandy Denny with Phil. "I met Phil because he was like me, living in Howth" she said. "Although he was away a lot he would support bands like us. We had a few gigs with him in Howth and I always thought he was a very down to earth guy."

Now Tina, a whistle and accordian player who was born in Bremen, is doing her own thing after leaving the band. Her gig will feature Tina and a host of musicians playing tracks from her CD Just For Now. A fan of Planxty and the Dubliners, she has managed to attract a wide range of musicians including the Dubliners John Sheehan, Ian Melrose, In Tua Nua musicians Leo Rickard and Paul Byrne for some slow airs and slip jigs. Tina began her musical career at the age of six and later received classical training as a recorder and harpshichord player. Michael Howard will launch Tina's CD, Just For Now, in the Cobblestone, Smithfield, tomorrow at 7pm.

Anne-Marie Walsh, 27/05/2003

Irish Music Magazine

Harpsichords in Howth

"Tina McLoughlin, a native of Bremen, Germany, and now resident in Dublin, began her musical career at the early age of six when she received classical training as a recorder player. She discovered Irish traditional music through the rise in popularity in Germany of groups such as Planxty and the Dubliners. Her first solo album "Just for Now" has recently been released on Claddagh Records and is already gaining an extremely positive critical response. A recent review in the Irish Times stated "Tina McLoughlin, a German whistle and accordion player based in Ireland, is fluent in every nuance and gesture of traditional music. " Tina is planning an official launch for the CD on the 28th of May in the Abbey Tavern in Howth."

April 03 2003

Irish Times

Listening to this collection of tunes makes you wonder how so many mediocre albums pass muster with big lables that shower greenbacks on them, while gems such as this lurk in the undergrowth - celebratory concoctions that'd knock the socks off a swathe of the darlings of the PR industry.

Tina McLoughlin, a German whistle and accordion player based in Ireland, is fluent in every nuance and gesture of traditional music.

Shaun Davey, John Sheahan and McLoughin's producer, Ian Vance Melrose, supply most of the tunes, their characters defined by a surprisingly vibrant mix of cello, bass, fiddle, pipes and box. An ill- advised Tim O'Brian song is the only interloper, with guest vocalist Paul Byrne bringing an Appalachian tenor that sits uncomfortably amid the immaculate slow airs and slip jigs.
Siobhan Long

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