2008 Woodie Awards
Maria Butterly Returns to Valley
Maria Butterly takes Valley's Recital Hall by Storm as the four part Irish Music Series continues Saturday nights at Valley.
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 5/4/05 Section: Valley Life
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The second evening of the four-part Irish Music Series, sponsored by Kerry Records, featured the energetic and unique sound of an artist destined to shine.
"It's Celtic, acoustic, rock-fusion," said Margaret O'Carroll, owner of Kerry Records.
Butterly is playing all original songs that showcase her soulful to powerful style of music.
"She's truly dynamic," said Margaret Murphy here on vacation from Dublin with her husband Thomas. "I knew her when she was a wee kid back home in Ireland."
The melodic "So Beautiful" gave the band a chance to show off their talents, while "Right on Time" gave the few audience members that were there a chance to sing along.
Brother Dermot Butterly joined her on stage for two songs. Their beautiful harmonies proved that talent runs in the family.
"She has both sides to her-traditional Irish side and then she rocks out," said John Clement, stage manager with Kerry Records.
The beautiful solo "Thankful" performed at the grand piano let her more reflective side come through.
"I wrote this shortly after my Dad passed away last year about him, and my life today because of him, emotional upheavals, triumphs and pulling myself up to the best I can be."
A knock on the stage door brought band-members Byron Holley on drums, Yukihide Takiyama on bass, Isaac Sprintis on electric guitar and Tardu Yegin on saxophone, whistles, keyboards, percussion, flute, clarinet-to name a few-back to join Butterly.
"They're very connected and brilliantly trained," said Butterly.
The band is in pre-production on a new CD that will be launched nationally, her latest acoustic release; "It's just me" is available at kerryrecords.com.
Ken O'Malley returns to the Music Recital Hall stage Saturday, May 7 in the third installment of the Irish music series. The Dublin born and raised Irish folksinger-songwriter opened the first night of the series with beautiful traditional Irish ballads.
O'Malley has performed with The Chieftains, Mary Black, Paul Brady, The Wolf Tones and many more.
