The Chieftains and Special Guests > Reviews > They made music together

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it rate alongside the competition	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	A feast of great tracks to lose yourself in
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

CD title "TEARS OF STONE".

This CD is amongst my best buys! Combine the Cheiftains music with some superb female vocalists and you have a gem of an album to listen to.

The fact that the special guests are all women gives you a clue to the main theme of the album, yes, it is love, and I unashamedly admit I am a bit of a softie!

I won't list every track, but I will mention a few of my favourites

The first track is a talk track, with background music composed by Paddy Molony. It is the voice of Brenda Fricker (better known from the TV series casualty) speaking the words of W.B. Yeats, and is entitled "Never give all the heart". It is bitter sweet.

Factory Girl, a slow ballad sung beautifully by Sinead O'Connor.

The Magdelene Laundries, composed and sung by Joni Mitchell, also on guitar. A tale of a "bad" girl sent to a convent run laundry for her sins, it takes a swipe at religious hypocrysy. It is a powerful and thought provoking track, and sung in Joni Mitchell's unique style.

Raglan Road, a love song, from the male perspective, but sung by Joan Osborne, gorgeous voice.

A Stor Mo Chroi, sung by Bonnie Rait, a traditional piece, about a lover in a far off land.

The Lowlands of Holland, sung by Natalie Merchant, another love song.

The Fiddling Ladies, great track which makes me want to get up and jig! No vocals on this one, very enjoyable and brilliantly played.

Danny Boy, slightly slower than the norm, sung by Diana Krall, a haunting rendition of this timeless song. It features Russel Malone on guitar, Bishop Nathaniel Townsley Jr & Gospel Jubilee Choir, and Malachy Robinson on double bass.

There is a track with a very Japanese flavour called "Sake in The Jar" which was composed by Paddy Moloney, and features Akiko Yano on vocal and piano. This track for me was the odd one out, I did not like it at first but it has grown on me. By the way it is nothing like Thin Lizzy's "Whisky in The Jar"!

There are 14 tracks in all, featuring other equally well respected artists, The Corrs, The Rankins, Sissel, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. All the tracks arranged by Paddy Molony.

If you like traditional Irish/folk music, you will like this album.