Enya’s Watermark is the Irish Classic Album at this year’s Choice Music Prize
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize has announced Enya’s Watermark album as the chosen winner for the Irish Classic Album this year.
Watermark is the second album from Enya, the enigmatic Irish singer which was released in 1988.
Enya herself has responded to the news:
“I am delighted to win the RTÉ Choice Music Classic Album Prize. Watermark has a special place in my heart – it was my second album and really launched my career internationally. It is wonderful that people are still discovering it today and it’s an honour to be chosen for this prize recognising Irish music.”
It features ‘Orinoco Flow’, ‘On Your Shore’ and ‘Storms In Africa’, and was chosen by a panel including Arts and Culture Journalist Lauren Murphy; Author and presenter of From ABC to XTC on RTE Gold John Connolly; Music Presenter, RTE Radio 1 Louise Duffy and Director Domino Records Harry Martin, with as the chairperson Paul Russell (Radio producer, formerly RTÉ 2FM).
The panel said:
“Following a lengthy deliberation and some very stiff competition, we deemed Watermark the most worthy recipient for this year’s Classic Irish Album award. Not only is Enya’s second record a remarkable piece of work for its time, but it has endured across the 37 years since its release and continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians to this day. Alongside her producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan, Enya essentially pioneered a new genre of music with Watermark, blending her traditional Irish background with elements of ambient, world, choral and pop music and her innovative layered vocal technique that can be heard on songs like Storms in Africa, Cursum Perficio and of course, the iconic Orinoco Flow. It was commercially successful on a global scale, yet the panel agreed that Enya is often underestimated or perhaps misunderstood by many. It felt like an apt opportunity to acknowledge her visionary work as both a vocalist and a musician – and Watermark, in all its strange, evocative beauty, comprehensively fulfils the criteria for a ‘classic album’.”
We are of course, big fans of Enya round here, and have a podcast about her life and career:
Watermark was released in 1988 on Warner Music UK (Geffen worldwide). Signed by Rob Dickins, who was head of the label at the time, 26-year-old Enya was given full creative control and artistic freedom. The writing and recording of the album continued her long-term collaboration with manager, arranger and producer Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan. Initially recorded in Dublin it was re-recorded digitally in Orinoco Studios in London. “Orinoco Flow”, the album’s global hit, was the final song written for the album. Selling an estimated 10 million albums, Watermark achieved multi-Platinum-selling status in many countries and is credited with propelling Enya to global fame and acclaim.
The inaugural winning Classic Irish Album was I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by the late great Sinéad O’ Connor, followed last year by U2’s Achtung Baby.
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Choice Music Prize Live Event, Vicar St Thursday 6th March (Sold-Out)
The winning Irish Album of the Year 2024will be announced at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize live eventin Vicar St Thursday 6th March, and, will be broadcast on RTÉ 2FM in a special four-hour extended show with Beta Da Silva from 7-11pm. Eight of the ten nominated artists will perform on the night. A special TV show will be broadcast on 13th March at 22.35 on RTÉ2.
The Classic Irish Album prize will be presented along with Irish Artist of the Year and Irish Breakthrough Artist that night.
The Irish Song of the Year 2024 will be announced by Tracy Clifford on her 2FM show on the day of the live event and presented to the winner in Vicar St that night. Tracy will also host the live event.
RTÉ Choice Music Prize Conversations will take place on the day, Thursday 6th March, with four music industry panels running from 12.00-16.30. Details to follow next week.
