Al Shalliker’s Oh Felicity, from his much-anticipated solo album The Diamond Hill, is a folk ballad that transcends time and place, effortlessly blending introspection with a cinematic warmth. It opens with a classic acoustic guitar progression, inviting us into a sonic landscape as beautiful as the Irish coastlines it draws inspiration from. The guitar flows like waves on Connemara’s shores, carrying Al’s gentle, lyrical reflections. He weaves the tale of “Felicity” with grace, grounding it in lived experience yet allowing it to resonate universally, making it an ode not only to his muse but also to the hopeful moments we all long for.
Shalliker’s lyrics are always a testament to his gift as a storyteller, each line crafted with a poet’s precision. His words glide gracefully over the music, evoking the windswept beauty of Ireland while touching on a yearning for unity and joy. Oh Felicity is deeply intimate, yet its themes feel larger, a meditation on the things that bridge distance and difference – a perfect match for a movie scene in a heartfelt romantic comedy, where every gesture and glance gains added weight and depth.
Then there’s Alex McGinnes on harmonica, a celestial, almost hypnotic presence that adds an ethereal quality to the track. The harmonica drifts in, dreamy and cerebral, as if plucked from the sky. It’s more than an accompaniment; it’s like another character in the story, providing an astral layer to Al’s grounded vocals.
Al Shalliker’s past with Watershed informs his approach here, but his solo journey is distinctly personal and refreshingly contemporary, a folk sound that feels both familiar and completely new. His mastery of narrative, honed over decades, shines brightly in Oh Felicity, proving that he remains a singular voice in folk music, one capable of turning memories and landscapes into something timeless and universally poignant. This track, along with The Diamond Hill as a whole, affirms Shalliker’s place as an evolving artist, someone whose music reaches across generations while staying true to the roots that have always defined his work.
Naturally, we have added Oh Felicity to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Al Shalliker’s wider discography and the tracks that are already available from the record!