Product Description

It was inevitable that Ireland's finest singer and its mostcelebrated traditional folk ensemble would eventually collaborate. We have both talent and providence to thank for the fact that their collaboration, IRISH HEARTBEAT, works as well as it does. The Celtic folk influence had always been lurking just below the surface in Morrison's music, occasionallypeeking out, as on INTO THE MUSIC. His evocative, emotionalstyle is a perfect fit with the timeless sound of the Chieftains.
Things get off to a rollicking start on the randy "Star Of The County Down" before moving into more introspective areas. The beautiful ballad "Raglan Road" explores Celtic myths while examining the nature of art and inspiration. The well-known tune "She Moved Through The Fair" is given a haunting reading here, as Morrison fully exploits the ghostlyaspects of the tale. Morrison sounds perfectly at home on the traditional tunes that are the Chieftains stock in trade,and they back him with equal aplomb on the tile track, a paean to home and family that is the album's sole original tune.

Track Listing

1. Star Of The County Down
2. Irish Heartbeat
3. Ta Mo Chleamhnas Deanta (My Match It Is Made)
4. Raglan Road
5. She Moves Through The Fair
6. I'll Tell Me Ma
7. Carrickfergus
8. Celtic Ray
9. My Lagan Love
10. Marie's Wedding

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32914 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's not often mentioned as one of Van Morrison's signature performances, but the highpoint of this 1988 collaboration--a heartbreaking rendition of the traditional tune "Carrickfergus"--ranks with anything the man has done. Morrison delivers the deathbed lament with a mix of fervour and penitence that's utterly convincing as the Chieftains enshroud him in a Gaelic tapestry of sound. The remainder of this reissue of the 1988 collaboration between Ireland's finest ain't too shabby, either. On more upbeat selections such as "The Star of the County Down", Morrison sounds uncharacteristically frisky, as if he's delighted to share the burden with the Chieftains. Listeners are likely to find the alliance equally satisfying. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

A celtic triumph !
Apparently, Van Morrison and The Chieftains bickered endlessly throughout the recording of this album, but you'd never notice. It is a faultless triumph of Celticana (if there is such a thing!). Songs such as "Raglan Road" and "Carrickfergus" are simply beautiful and so evocative of Ireland, both rural and urban (Ireland is not all green swathes and mysterious glens). "Tell Me Ma" for example, is a classic urban childhood ditty. "Marie's Wedding" too, could be in a country town or inner Belfast . However, my own personal favourite is "She Moved Through The Fair" which is definitely bucolic in flavour, swirling, misty and mournful. Morrison pays due respect here to roots other than his oft-visited 1950s radio material, and he does it with love, however painful and acrimonious the laying down of the album may have been. The overwhelming feeling is one of warmth, which all things considered is a remarkable achievement.

This album should be readily available for much less than the prices shown here. Shop around !

All-round Irish masterpiece
Van's best work. The Chieftains' best work. A great CD which every music-lover should own NOW!

Magic!
This album is a simply wonderful collaboration of two great Irish talents. The first is Van Morrison, that great Irish singer who is remembered for such great songs as "Brown-Eyed Girl" and "Moondance" (one of my personal favorites!). The second is The Chieftains, whose albums are always the very epitome of Irish traditional music. Together, it's...magic!

This is a great album, with a sound that is pure Ireland. I always loved Van Morrison, and must admit that I was dubious of what this album would sound like. But, in fact, this album is great, and I love the sound. If you are a fan of great Irish music, then you will love this album. I give it my highest recommendations!