Folk duo returns with highly anticipated album

A very special album launch is taking place in Cork city this weekend marking the relaunch of one of Cork’s most celebrated folk duos.

Noel Shine and Mary Greene, aka Greene and Shine, have long been an important element of the Cork folk and Americana scene in one form or another.

Having previously existed as a trio with their daughter Ellie, they have now returned to their original form, a husband and wife duo whose music straddles the boundaries of indie, Americana, and folk, with intertwining harmonies, skilful string work, and fine songwriting.

Their new album, ‘Like Sweet Summer Rains’, is getting its official Leeside launch this Saturday in The Corner House on Coburg Street.

The album consists of six original tracks, one traditional American folk song, and three covers. Talking about the new album, Mary said she and her husband pour everything into their songs.

She said: “Some tracks like ‘The Night They Laid Me Out’ and ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’ are deeply personal. The former is a true tale of the supernatural that happened in my family and is told from the point of view of my deceased brother. The latter was inspired by a lovely photo of myself and my late dad on the morning of my wedding. These two are special but we put our all into all our songs.”

From Noel's role as one of the founders of Cork Folk Festival, right through to the couple's work alongside their daughter Ellie as RTÉ Folk Awards nominated band Greenshine, Noel and Mary have been a constant in the musical firmament.

Between them, Noel and Mary have lent their talents to the recordings of Republic of Loose, Christy Moore, Mick Hanly, Frances Black, and John Spillane amongst many others, but it's the quality of their musicianship which has garnered them the most accolades.

Noel is a highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, while Mary's songwriting has propelled them to the No. 1 spot of the RTÉ Radio 1 playlist on several occasions, most notably with her song ‘The Girl in the Lavender Dress’ not only reaching the top of the chart, but going on to be second most played Irish track in the year of its release, while their debut album ‘The Land You Love The Best’ was placed in the top three folk albums in The Irish Times. Mary's solo album of original songs, ‘Sea of Hearts’, garnered 8/10 in Hot Press.

‘Like Sweet Summer Rains’ will be launched at The Corner House on Coburg Street this Saturday with things kicking off from 6pm.

Following that, Greene and Shine will be opening for Mary Black at Cork Opera House on 3 June.