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SINEAD O'CONNOR
She Who Dwells... (Vanguard/Hummingbird)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
Sinead O'Connor has reportedly declared this album her last. Maybe she figure the title alone (the full title is She Who Dwells In The Secret Place Of The Most High Shall Abide Under The Shadow Of The Almighty) will keep her fans busy for a long, long time. Most likely, 15 years of recording, touring and fending off the assaults on her art and her character brought on by a series of personal, spiritual and political controversies has been more wearing than she wants to contend with anymore.
Of course, musical retirements have a legendary quality of impermanence, but Sinead just might be the exception. She's the exception in many other ways, including her exceptional talent. Personally, I hope a break will restore her spirit, because I always want to hear what she's going to come up with next. At any rate, if she's truly retiring, she's chosen a remarkable set of tracks to say goodbye with.
This two-disc set is divided between a disc of 19 studio tracks, including unreleased material, rarities and demos, and another with the full performance of a televised concert she performed last year in Dublin. Each disc has its charms, as she covers everyone from Abba to Aretha, is joined by the Asian Dub Foundation for a studio track, digs deeply into her Irish roots and displays her strong affinity for reggae riddims. She does so many things that it's really amazing how well she does them all.
You just never know. She may be back in a year. Maybe never. But she's compiled an album designed to keep people satisfied for a long, long time, and that's all we can ask for, really. Is this really, as she sings, the "Last Day Of Our Acquaintance?" Not likely, because this one will be keeping us company for a long time.
Track Lists:
Disc One: Regina Caeli * O Filii et Filiae * My Love I Bring * Do Right Woman * Love Hurts * Ain't It A Shame * Chiquitta * Brigidine Diana * It's All Good * Love Is Ours (demo) * A Hundred Thousand Angels * You Put Your Arms Around Me (demo) * Emma's Song * No Matter How Hard I Try (demo) * Dense Water, Deeper Down * This IS A Rebel Song * 1000 Mirrors w/Asian Dub Foundation * Big Bunch Of Junkie Lies * Song Of Jerusalem
Disc Two: Molly Malone * Oro, Se do Bheatha 'Bhaile * The Singing Bird * My Lagan Love * I Am Stretched Out On Your Grave * Nothing Compares 2 U * John I Love You * The Moorlough Shore * You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart * Paddy's Lament * Thank You For Hearing Me * Fire On Babylon * The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance
© 2003 - Shaun Dale