Two Words, One Answer.
Chieftains
 The Bells of Dublin $7.99 The Chieftains outdid themselves with this wonderful cd. This remains such a perennial favorite that I've worn out two copies of the cd and have gifted it to friends. It puts me in the spirit of the season, every year. I never get tired of any of it.  The Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration $9.99 Throughout their long careers, the Chieftains continually surprised their fans with the collaborations they'd create. Everyone from the Rolling Stones doing a rollicking version of "Rocky Road to Dublin" to Ziggy Marley's version of his Dad's "Redemption Song" are here. This collection's not all jollity. Of course, you've got the deeper more thoughtful songs like "Magdalene Laundries" by Joni Mitchell, which details the forced servitude of 'fallen women' controlled by the Catholic Church in Ireland. There's also the haunting "Foggy Dew" by Sinead O'Connor. Probably my favorite song of the whole bunch, if it's possible to have one, is "Morning Has Broken" with Art Garfunkel. His pure voice intermixed with the strings is one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. If you don't own any Chieftains and want a good sampling of their work, this collection's a good start. If you're like me and do own a lot of their music, it's still good to have this collection to put on as a collection of varietal music. Rebecca Kyle, August 2009  Water From the Well $7.99 THE CHIEFTAINS have been wowing audiences for decades with "authentic" Irish/Gaelic music long before it became "chic." The energy and gift of sharing so notable in their concerts comes through with gusto in their recordings. The selected CD WATER FROM THE WELL features The May Morning Dew that illustrates the long-standing effects of oppression with a nostalgic simplicity. TOP PICKS: TEARS OF STONE (highly recommended) features such formidable female vocalists as Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant; Joni Mitchell; Sinad O'Connor; Loreena McKennitt; Akiko Yano and others. Solid Ground Sail "g Rua The Essential Irish Folk Collection  The Long Black Veil $9.99 REALLY nice-listening cd with beautiful irish music performed by a great group along with mix of fantastic musicians. |
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