Niall Connolly - The Patience of Trees (2023)

Niall Connolly was born in the suburbs of Cork, Ireland but is now based in New York City. Over the years he has made a career as a folk-rock artist. He is back with a new studio album, The Patience Of Trees. To these ears, it is the best album of his career to date.

Connolly is also a storyteller, who is not shy about sharing his life with his audience. This album is full of incredible stories about Connolly, the world, coping, living, life and family. From the opening notes of “It’s A Beautiful Life” until the last note of “Up, Up And Away”, Connolly holds the listener captive. His tuneful ear helps as the songs are very melodic and memorable.

Having seen Connolly perform live recently, a lot of the songs on The Patience Of Trees were tested and perfected in his live performances. The arrangements are flawless and executed perfectly. He also sings with a strong voice. He goes from gentle to aggressive in the blink of an eye. There is the gentleness to “We Don’t Have To Talk About It” and “Maybe Next Year” then the full on power of “Everything’s Alright” and “A Cloud On The Summer Sun.

Connolly gets some help on this album. Mick Flannery, with whom he has toured, co-wrote and sings on the incredible “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Out The Light”, as does Len Monachello, who produced most of the album and provides a great deal of musical accompaniment for Connolly. The production is beautifully arranged, but at the heart of each arrangement is the song itself. Connolly has come up with an incredible starting point, and all the additional instruments flush out the brilliance of each song.

The Patience Of Trees is remarkable. It is much like Blood On The Tracks or Plastic Ono Band in its honesty and raw emotions. Connolly has come up with his masterpiece. It is powerful, both musically and lyrically. He is an artist who has come into his own.