Ships in the Forest

Released in 2008 on her own Crow Valley Music label, Ships in the Forest represents a pivotal moment of creative independence for Karan Casey. Moving away from the more polished production of her earlier solo work, Casey collaborated closely with pianist Donald Shaw and members of the neo-traditional band Buille to create a sound defined by 'chamber-folk' sensibilities. The tracklist is a deliberate blend of traditional Irish and Scottish material alongside contemporary protest music, most notably a stark cover of Joni Mitchell's 'The Fiddle and the Drum'. This choice highlights Casey's long-standing reputation as a political voice within the folk community. The album is technically notable for its dry, intimate recording style which eschews heavy reverb in favor of a 'living room' presence. Critics, particularly from the BBC, praised the album for its 'uncluttered' arrangements and Casey's ability to find new, darker depths in over-familiar standards like 'Black Is the Colour'. It remains one of the most critically respected albums of the 2000s Irish folk revival.