Michelle Murphy waltzes through the River Shannon
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
River Shannon is the latest single from singer, Michelle Murphy, a popular country and Irish music singer. Although River Shannon is not a country song, this accordion rich waltz will bring a smile to your face, all the same. Credited to turn of the 20th century writer James I Russel, it seems this version is a reimagination of the popular 1916 song, Where The River Shannon Flows. The lilting tune speaks of The River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, flowing approximately 360 km southwards from the Shannon Pot in County Cavan to an estuary near Limerick city. The lyric captures the thoughts of an exile who has left their hometown along the banks of the River Shannon. Michelle had this to say about her new release, “This is a song I’ve loved for years and have wanted to record for a long time. It’s a beautiful, flowing waltz that I hope will be warmly received by dancers everywhere.” The nostalgically romantic lyric is sung in a vibrant voice,
Oh, the River Shannon is flowing
And it sings an Irish song
It stops for just a moment
At the town where I was born
Leslie Dunne handled the arrangement as well as playing accordion, piano, keyboards and backing vocals, while Gay Brazil was on bass. This dance hall number takes you on a wistful journey through the past as Michelle intones bygone values and a strong Gaelic perspective. As she sings, you can drift away while Murphy dreams of roaming through Ireland.
Michelle Murphy is a popular Irish country singer based in Co. Wexford, with a career spanning over seven years playing various venues and festivals. She has released previous albums including the chart topping, Part of Me and Don’t Make Me Dream. In 2023 Michelle received the F.F.C.M Media Award For best female country cover of a Crystal Gayle song. While staying busy recording, Michelle has also found time to work on stage with Brian Cunningham, Philomena Begley, Ray Lynam, Dominic Kirwan and Louise Morrissey. Over the years she has done spot Performances on Michael Commins Shows, Big Tom weekends in Oram and numerous fund raisers.