Derek Byrne has three great loves, his family, music and Ireland. After spending six years touring with Riverdance, and several more with his band, Eidir, Byrne has settled down into a solo career. Byrne released two solo albums in 2008. We were lucky enough to receive Seize The Moment for review. Seize The Moment is a rare album that builds into something more than just recorded muse; It’s an experience. Derek Byrne sings and plays as If these songs run in his life’s blood. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin (originally Kildare, Ireland) based singer/songwriter gives his all on the twelve songs presented here. Whether it’s outstanding instrumental work (Eidirian, Blue Eyed Canyon, Running On Fumes Theme) or amazing vocals, Byrne is on top of his game.

There are two songs on this album that are other-worldly, they’re so good. Seize The Moment is a beautiful song about keeping love alive in light of all the responsibilities and pressures that day to day life places on our shoulders. It’s a message we would all do well to stop and listen to from time to time, and the song itself is timeless. Expect this to be picked up and covered again and again by other artists. Likewise The Beautiful Truth; a paean written from father to daughter, filled with all of the love and emotion that relationship classically encompasses. A stone would fail to be unmoved by The Beautiful Truth. Both of these songs are special in that they represent a feeling or relationship in a fashion that is iconic and archetypical while remaining incredibly personal and touching. The musical arrangement for each is amazing.

Of course the rest of the album isn’t so bad either. Byrne is an amazing instrumentalist, and that runs through all of his songs, but Eidirian is a particularly representative piece. Rhythm Of Falling is a starkly honest song that is all heart and very memorable. Save Tara is a gorgeous a Capella piece that you’ll have to hear to believe. Red Is The Rose marches to a martial beat in a classic performance. Other highlights include My Land, Hawaiian Pigeon Breakdown and Marie’s Wedding.

I’ve never heard of Derek Byrne before this, and I am utterly amazed that a singer/songwriter this talented could stay effectively hidden from the world for this long. A gifted lyricist as well, Byrne represents the human heart in his music like no other songwriter I’ve heard, all done up in classic Celtic/folk arrangements. Perfect is, of course, unattainable, but for the 12 songs on Seize The Moment, Derek Byrne comes as close as it’s possible to come. Seize The Moment is, of course, a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc. Make this CD part of your collection.



Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)
                            Read more...
                        

                            
“Seize the Moment” is the first solo recording for Kildare musician Derek Byrne.  It is a personal, introspective work, one of a man who is finding the joys of life in the hand dealt to him.  Byrne wrote ten of the twelve tracks.  
	Byrne is primarily a banjo player, and he utilizes various styles of the instrument to very good manner. It is his songwriting, and his voice, which make this album work. His opening number, “Between Love and Home”, talks of the choices immigrants have. ‘Seize the Moment’ was written for his wife, in a search for time together.   ‘Rhythm of Falling’ talks of stealing time in quick meetings in airports, when he was on the road with Riverdance.  The highlight of the album is ‘Save Tara’, about the proposed highway that would impinge on the ancient Irish capital.  Byrne’s a cappella singing opens with ‘Seal a na mbo na mbo’, and proceeds on to a litany of the legendary heroes of the island’s past. His performing partner, Cavan dancer Sean Beglan, provides impressive foot percussion, in this eerie and impressive song.

	The three instrumentals go from the traditionally based ‘Eidirian’, a somewhat dark jig, to the bluegrass-based ‘Hawaiian Pigeon Breakdown”, to the theme for the movie, ‘Running on Fumes’, a strident, yet evocative bit of music.

	The final tracks are the weakest, “Red is the Rose” and Maire’s Wedding”, performed live. They are well played, but after Byrne’s original lyrics and music, they tend to pale compared to the rest of the album.  “Seize the Moment” grabs hold of the listener from the start, and clasps until the end.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Derek, this takes me back to summers past with my Mom and Dad driving our family in a Green 1973 Scottsdale Chevrolet Truck with us 3 kids in the truck camper going out \"West\" to Wyoming.  The Running on Fumes gave me the feeling that I got going through Big Horn Mountains.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
We Love Derek\'s music and are so excited for this cd to come out! It outstanding! It\'s my favorite cd to listen to on a daily basis! LOVE IT!! Keep it up Derek!
                            Read more...