Don and Ciara release new album

RENOWNED bluesman, songwriter and harmonica supremo Don Baker has joined forces with the irrepressible Irish blues singer Clara Rose to create a new CD called ‘Baker Rose’. They will be performing tracks from the album at a gig in the Mill Theatre, Dundrum, on March 26.

A six-month nationwide tour to support the launch of Baker Rose will include dates in the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, on April 27, in Liberty Hall on May 7, in Draiocht, Blanchardstown on May 27 and in the Millbank Theatre, Rush on July 23.

A key guest on the album is noted Irish jazz guitarist Louis Stewart who adds his unique style to the track ‘Lost Lover Blues’.

Baker Rose embarked on an extensive live tour last summer, an experience that was so successful that recording a full album was inevitable. While the tracks on Baker Rose embrace an eclectic mix of folk, rock, country and jazz, neither Don nor Clara strays far from their blues roots.

The album was officially launched on March 11. It features 11 tracks and a delicate blend of original tunes by both Baker and Rose as well as a couple of covers. 

Either singer can take over vocal duties with equal aplomb, but when they share vocals they can take a song to places it’s never been before.

Along the way, their lyrical pre-occupations range from love won and lost to religion, politics, drugs, life and death.

The entire Baker Rose album was produced and engineered by Baker who also played slide guitar, electric guitar and acoustic guitar alongside his trademark harmonica.