So Far (The Best Of Sinead O'Connor) - Sinead O'Connor

...much I like/liked Sinead O'Connor, so I have just bought the album (cheaper than individual tunes).

Sinead O'Connor is a somewhat enigmatic character that sometimes gets much more press for her behaviour and antics than she does/has for her music. I did a review of Amy Winehouse some time ago and for me there are similarities, however, I find too many reviews on Ciao focus on too much that has little to do with the product reviewed, ...
...Benjamin Zephiniah is a legend, so the fact that he collaborates with Sinead is a real recognition of her talents in my opinion. A kind of Jah Wobble like electronic, Bass/trance/ambient thing that shouild only ever be played at 4 am in a field with people off their heads on Ecstacy, not that i would know of course.

11. I want (your hands on me)
Like Mandinka and Troy, from Sineads first album, great catchy, Earthy sexy song ... more

I have been having a bit of a purchasing spree on itunes, and had forgotten how much I like/liked Sinead O'Connor, so I have just bought the album (cheaper than individual tunes).

Sinead O'Connor is a somewhat enigmatic character that sometimes gets much more press for her behaviour and antics than she does/has for her music. I did a review of Amy Winehouse some time ago and for me there are similarities, however, I find too many reviews on Ciao focus on too much that has little to do with the product reviewed, so I intend to focus on the album and the music therein. There is no doubt however that without her background and life experiences she would not have made some of the songs that she has, nor put the feeling into them which is the 'signature' of her work.

1. Nothing compares 2 U
The first track on the album, predictably as it is iconic, one of the best selling singles of all time and a video which has become an absolute classic, who can forget the tear rolling down the cheek? Originally written by Prince, or the artist formerly known as uphisasses, it is a haunting, melancholic melody that has lyrics that tend to remind anyone of any break up in their lives. I would have started the album with an earlier track however.

2. Mandinka
Without doubt, the song that launched Sineads career, an absolute stormer of a track, full of anger, energy and an unbelievable vocal range used to it's limits. For my mind Sineads greatest song, punky, yet kind of new age too, fab.

3. The emperors new clothes
A kind of 'autobiographical' song of her rise to fame, much to self indulgent for my liking though the tune is very catchy and I find myself liking it in spite of the lyrics.

4. The last day of our acquaintance
More angst, the story of a break up, I once heard Sinead say that all her heartbreak was terrible for her but great for the record companies, how true. This for me is one of those you love it or don't tracks, I don't.

5. Fire on Babylon
Very reggae inspired bass lines, and surprise, surprise, quite 'tortured', certainly one to make one sit up and listen, I never liked this when it first came out, it has grown on me. A story about her relationship with her mother which sounds awful, great use of the voice as melody to complement the bass and harmonies.

6. Troy
Very 'scratchy' use of her voice, I love this, the only thing I can liken it to is Skunk Anansie if anyone remembers her, you really have to listen to this track and get taken in to the haunting song.

7. I am stretched on your grave
I love this song, especially the Irish jig in the middle of the track, the dominant drum beat over the whole of this track reminds me of festivals and late nights with people 'doing' percussion with whatever comes to hand, very Earthy, new age, yet quite primeval too, probably my 2nd favourite Sinead track.

8. Success has made a failure of our home
One of Sineads tracks from the 'Am I not your girl?' album, a journey into 40's, 50's and 60's music, great album, not the best song featured here though, I would have included 'Scarlet ribbons'. That being said it is a great rendition that showpieces her voice well. I would love to hear Sinead sing some more jazz standards.

9. John I love you
Bit self indulgent for me. A song to one of her children, very sweet, very sickly, I hate it, it obviously means a lot to her, yuk.

10. Empire - Bomb the Bass (featuring Benjamin Zephaniah)
Benjamin Zephiniah is a legend, so the fact that he collaborates with Sinead is a real recognition of her talents in my opinion. A kind of Jah Wobble like electronic, Bass/trance/ambient thing that shouild only ever be played at 4 am in a field with people off their heads on Ecstacy, not that i would know of course.

11. I want (your hands on me)
Like Mandinka and Troy, from Sineads first album, great catchy, Earthy sexy song in a 'punky' way. Love this, has a very 'raw' feel.

12. Heroine (theme from Captive)
Just don't get this, never saw the film, maybe that's why.

13. Don't cry for me Argentina
Also from the 'Am I not your girl?' album. A famous song, that I have to say, she does great justice to, there is a silkiness to he voice and a level of 'soul' that makes you believe what she sings, very, very competent.

14. You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart
No, not more angst, only this is a pale imitation of her better songs, more like pop angst.

15. Just like you said it would be
Another from the first album, fantastic, in fact the more I write this review, the more I realise that the first album, Lion and Cobra is a classic, this album isn't.

There are some fantastic songs that are, for some reason not included; 'Black boys on mopeds' for one.

So to sum up, not the best so far in my opinion, but not far off. What the album does show well is the depth of her talent and the versatility of styles that she has from punk, to reggae, to jazz to almost classical singing. There is no doubt that she can sing, boy can she sing. I would give the album a 7/10, nothing to bad, but not a 'blow away' album either, though a couple of songs are amazing. I retrospect, it would have been more cost effective to download a few tracks , not the album. 

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