Last week I was listening to these collaborative CDs. The Chieftains and a bunch of their friends–Sting, Jagger, Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Ry Cooder, Marianne Faithfull, Tom Jones, and The Rolling Stones–produced a satisfying album back in 1995.
I hadn’t heard Mick Jagger’s version of “The Long Black Veil” before and it’s pretty good. Rod Stewart had a hit with his version of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” but this rendition is pleasing, too.
Sadly, we won’t have any more music from Sinead O’Connor. The two songs she sings on this CD reminds you of how wonderful her voice was. On the other hand, Marianne Faithfull’s voice is raspy. GRADE: B+
I’ve had Better Together: The Duet Album since it came out in 1991 and only got around to listening to it last week. Johnny Mathis gets played every year at Christmas time. Diane loves his Christmas albums! Mathis and his friends–Patti Austin, Regina Belle, Angela Bofill, Jane Oliver, Take 6, Dionne Warwick, and Deniese Williams–deliver a very listenable album of love songs. Mathis and Deniese Williams had a hit with “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late.”
I really liked “It’s All In the Game” and “In the Still of the Night” with Mathis and Take 6. I’m a big fan of Regina Belle’s voice and she’s stellar on her cut: “Better Together.” If you’re in the mood for some wonderful music, check out Better Together: The Duet Album. Do you remember these songs? GRADE: A-
TRACK LIST:
1 | Mo Ghile Mear – “Our Hero” Featuring – Sting | 3:22 | |
2 | The Long Black Veil Featuring – Mick Jagger | 3:38 | |
3 | The Foggy Dew Featuring – Sinéad O’Connor | 5:20 | |
4 | Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? Featuring – Van Morrison | 4:40 | |
5 | Changing Your Demeanour | 3:16 | |
6 | The Lily Of The West Featuring – Mark Knopfler | 5:10 | |
7 | Coast Of Malabar Featuring – Ry Cooder | 6:01 | |
8 | Dunmore Lassies (Instrumental) Featuring – Ry Cooder | 5:14 | |
9 | Love Is Teasin’ Featuring – Marianne Faithfull | 4:36 | |
10 | He Moved Through The Fair Featuring – Sinéad O’Connor | 4:54 | |
11 | Ferny Hill (Instrumental) | 3:43 | |
12 | Tennessee Waltz / Tennessee Mazurka Featuring – Tom Jones | 3:58 | |
13 | The Rocky Road To Dublin Featuring – The Rolling Stones | 5:06 |
TRACK LIST:
1 | Regina Belle– | Better Together Written-By – R. Bowland* |
2 | Patti Austin– | You Brought Me Love Written-By – A. Goldmark |
3 | Deniece Williams– | Too Much, Too Little, Too Late Written-By – J. Vallins*, N. Kipner |
4 | Take 6– | It’s All In The Game Written-By – C. Sigman*, C. Dawes |
5 | Deniece Williams– | Love Won’t Let Me Wait Written-By – B. Eli*, V. Barrett |
6 | Angela Bofill– | You’re A Special Part Of Me Written-By – A. Bofill*, L. Gold |
7 | Jane Olivor– | The Last Time I Felt Like This Written-By – A. Bergman*, M. Bergman*, M. Hamlisch |
8 | Dionne Warwick– | Friends In Love Written-By – B. Champlin*, D. Foster*, J. Graydon |
9 | Take 6– | In The Still Of The Night Written-By – F. Parris |
10 | Deniece Williams– | You’re All I Need To Get By Written-By – N. Ashford And V. Simpson |
11 | Dionne Warwick– | Who’s Counting Heartaches Written-By – I. Wolf |