Customer Reviews

Hidden Heart

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This is positively the BEST Hazel O'Connor cd I have heard in YEARS!!! Every song on this cd is an absolute treasure. Hazel's voice, gritty and raw (not unlike Marianne Faithfull's) gives me chills to the point that I havent been able to stop listening to this cd. The songs- brilliant, just brilliant. Any Hazel O'Connor fan will love love love this cd.

Hazel has indeed come a long way since she first exploded onto the music scene in 1980 with the classic "Breaking Glass" soundtrack and in this her 9th studio album, we can finally appreciate the effect the years of performing and perfecting her talent have had, in a new maturity and emotinal power to that beautiful bluesy voice.
Musically the album is pretty spectacular, bringing together a variety of people who have performed with Hazel over the years, and Martin Rushent's sensitive production bringing out the best in the talented musicians, most notably in the exquisite crystal clarity of Cormac De Barra's celtic harp.
Although I can't say there's a bad track on this album, the following are perhaps the most memorable highlights:
"Hidden" a hauntingly beautifull lament featuring a gorgeous duet with Clannad's Moya Brennan.
The Bouncy and uptempo "Perfect Days"
"Strong" My personal favourite and perhaps the most commercially viable song on the album, with the whole cast joining in the final rousing "You'll be stronger than strong ...strong... strong..." mantra.
"If Only" The old Breaking Glass classic given a new lease of life here with a new arrangement and dueted with the Subterraneans Tony Dangerfield.
"Fear of Flying" the final track on the album and another favourite, a great tune and those wonderfully inspirational lyrics.
All in all a Sumptuous treat for O'Connor fans both new and old!!