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It's difficult to simply comment on a few selections because I love them all. In Factory Girl by Siníad O'Connor the singer reminds us once again of her great talent for delivering a raw, purist sound. Leading Female Singers from around the world joined in this Celtic innovation from Gaelic Master Musicians--The Chieftains. An excellent composition that may be partially autobiographical. It's great the way the song subtley builds to an almost Dionysian crescendo.Natalie Merchant, another greatly talented musician offers an almost lighthearted rendition of the sad The Lowlands of Holland Dina Krall presents a very different vocal interpretation of Danny Boy--and it may be just be the best I've heard. Bonnie Raitt gives a surprisingly different & striking performance of A Stór Mo Chroí. However, JM's song is not in that highly recommended film].Jimmy Mó Mhíle Stór with The Ranklins is a real treat for us Gaelic lovers.
The title is a word play on the traditional Irish tune Whiskey in The Jar. The result is a lovely sample of song. Sake in The Jar is an Asian composition by singer Akiko Yano. The sense of deep emotional loss in this song is very Gaelic--and it's very beautiful too.The Magdalene Laundries by Joni Mitchell is another surprise of sorts, with its bitter, angry religious themes concerning female sexuality & "unwanted" pregnancy. [NOTE: 09/09 Since writing this review, I watched the film THE MAGDALENE SISTERS & everything fell into place & made sense. This song is a real treat. Other notable contributions by Brenda Frickler & Anúna (Never Give All the Heart); The Corrs (I know My Love); Mary Chapin Carpenter (Deserted Soldier); Loreena McKennitt (Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure); Joan Osborne (Raglin Road); Sissel (Siúil A Run) a great rendering of a very sad, always apt & traditional tune.; Eileen Rivers, Natalie Machmaster, Marie Breatnach & Annbjorg Lien (The Fiddling Ladies) you just can't help but clap & dance along.The Magdalene SistersOpheliaDiamonds & RustDog Eat DogI Do Not Want What I Haven't GotFundamentalRelishEssential Mary Chapin CarpenterUprootedThe Corrs - Best Of + 1Japanese GirlTwilight: The Best of Akiko Yano Live
This piece is haunting and beautiful. The collaberation of the Chieftains and multiple female artists from around the world is so pleasing and mesmerising, I felt transported to another place and time.
I love the Chieftains and am a fan of many of the featured artists, but I was extremely disappointed by this CD. Don't expect the "Long Black Veil" here. Each song is drawn out in a painfully slow style. It's not that there's no good voices or pretty melodies, it's just that the artists seem to be working so hard to be soulful that it's a torturous listen.
The Chieftains refuse to stagnate in their musical career, and this special-guest-filled albums proves that once again. This is an aboslutely all-star collection of traditional Irish songs sung by outstanding female vocalists such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Diana Krall, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell, Sinead O'Connor, Joan Osborne, and Bonnie Raitt. The fact that this band can collaborate with musicians ranging from country to rock to pop to Asian proves their musical genius.
So I guess you could say some of the parts were truly brilliant (it's The Chieftains after all). The real spunk came from the Corrs who play a lively and fresh version of "I know my love" and "Sake in the jar" had real wit.
They refuse to be a cliche or to stagnate. I just saw them here in Reno this past weekend and while it felt a little sad to not have Derek Bell and Martin Fay up there, they still played with great energy and passion.
I'll start off by saying that I dig the fact that these guys after performing for 40-odd years together are still looking for new ways to express themselves. I just couldn't get passionate about their efforts here.it felt a little flat.
Those guys never mail it in.Having said that, this one wasn't my favorite. I felt many of the tunes were a little slow and one-note.
"Never give all the heart" a song and word rendition of the Yeats poem was haunting. but "the whole" just never quite clicked for me.
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