Carmel McCreagh: Skylark

Like a consummate actor, Wicklow singer Carmel McCreagh gives every lyric its due, so it's fitting that she's chosen the songs of lyricist Johnny Mercer for her second album. Mercer's sophisticated lyrics adorn some of the greatest "standards" in the American Song Book, and some of the best known are given a good dusting down here: The Days of Wine and Roses, Come Rain or Come Shine and I Thought About You , not to mention the gorgeous title track. Produced by McCreagh's partner Fiachra Trench (the arranger behind Fairytale of New York and much else) and featuring a role call of established talents on the Dublin music scene, including guitarist Jimmy Smyth, saxophonists Michael Buckley and Keith Donald, flautist Brian Dunning and drummer Desi Reynolds, Skylark is balm for the ears and a worthy addition to the songbook canon. carmelmccreagh.com