Product Description

In April 2005, thirteen years after she stepped back from the brink of superstardom, Sinead O'Connor finally made the record towards which she had been building her whole career. She travelled alone to Kingston, Jamaica to record Throw Down Your Arms at the world famous Tuff Gong and Anchor Studios.

The album is a collection of roots songs which have inspired Sinead in her life and work. The legendary rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare produced the album and many of the musicians who played on the original records were enlisted to add authenticity to the sound.

The title track was written and originally performed by Studio One legend Winston Rodney, aka Burning Spear, who also originated "Jah Nuh Dead", "Marcus Garvey", "Door Peep" and "He Prayed". Sinead also interprets Peter Tosh's "Downpressor Man", Lee Perry's "Curly Locks", Israel Vibration's "Prophet Has Arise" and The Abyssinians' "Y Mas Gan" amongst other Rasta anthems. But these are tributes, not imitations. While staying true to the composers' visions Sinead has stamped each of these tracks with her own distinctive voice and personality. As Robbie observed to nobody in particular after hearing Sinead lay down a particularly goose-bump inducing vocal, "Forget the originals baby, these ARE the originals".

Track Listing

1. Jah Nuh Dead
2. Marcus Garvey
3. Door Peep
4. He Prayed
5. Curly Locks
6. Vampire
7. Y Mas Gan
8. Prophet Has Arise
9. Downpressor Man
10. Throw Down Your Arms
11. Untold Stories
12. War

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56430 in Music
• Released on: 2005-10-03
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

A Departure and a Revelation
I'm no reggae fan, and I honestly believed that Sinead O'Connor had released her last track and was fading into musical retirement, but this album proves me wrong on both counts. Sinead's voice combined with the traditional reggae beat is nothing short of a revelation. Her's has always been a voice full of raw emotion, but it's not quite right to say that she gives new meaning to the music. It's more a case of her interpretation at last explaining the music, revealing the meaning that's been there all along to those of us who haven't understood previously.

This is brave departure for Sinead, but I've a feeling that she made this album for love of the music rather than for any deliberate attempt to change direction. I think this album will introduce both Sinead and reggae to many who haven't really appreciated either before.

Best Reggae Album in Years
This is wonderful. Sinead plays it absolutely straight and pays tribute to these '70s reggae classics (with some of the original artists) which she so obviously loves.

Her absolute sincerity and the faultless musicianship of this album make it a real treat for reggae fans and non-reggae fans alike.

Lovely.

Fantastic!
Absolutely love this album, and have been playing it continuously since buying it. Track 7 (Vampire) is the favourite in our house, but they're all good. I love Sinead's voice, and I love reggae, so this album is a real treat!