Customer Reviews

Real Life Story

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this album while down in Chicago about one year ago and I have listened to it almost everyday since I bought it. All of the tracks are excellent. I have become attached to "Ireland," "Guns of love," "I don't know why" and even the remake of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "For no one" was great too. This is truly a great buy and I encourage that you buy it.

Maura O'Connell's voice and choice of material have sometimes left me underwhelmed. But I must say A REAL LIFE STORY is as close to a "perfect" album as I've ever heard. Each song is a gem, and O'Connell's performance is intimate, honest and pure throughout. The album includes definitive versions of Tom Waits' "Broken Bicycles" and John Hiatt's "When We Ran." "When Your Heart Is Weak" and "Burning My Rowboat" are wonderfully earthy country-pop. And Shawn Colvin's "I Don't Know Why" is so fragile and beautiful, like something delicate and made of glass.

I bought this album when it first was released. For years it has been music of choice. Maura's voice is distinctive and so is her choice of music. "Burning My Own Rowboat" is evocative and a completley unexpected image of committing to a relationship. O'Connell takes through the joy of "Feels like Ireland" and the pain of relationships that have passed and others that are still together despite problems because of true love. This is a deeply honest album. O'Connell's voice, choice of songs and arrangements: all are honest and deeply felt by artist and listener alike.

I finally replaced my broken cassette deck and popped in this recording on tape. I hadn't heard it in a long time -- could it really be twenty years old?

This album by Maura was, and still is, one of my favorites. She's a deeply expressive and committed singer with a raw, earthy quality to her voice that can also be very sweet. The rough edges work well on this collection of covers, written by some great songwriters but the songs themselves relatively obscure. With the exception of Shawn Colvin's "I Don't Know Why," and the Beatles' "For No One," I was unfamiliar with these songs. That's interesting, because they're all wonderful. Maura covers a range of styles, demonstrating her versatility. The mostly acoustic backing arrangements are terrific too. If you're not familiar with Maura, this is a great place to start. Highly recommended.

I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM FOR THE UNIQUE TRIBUTE TO IRELAND SUNG BY MAURA O'CONNELL AND WAS CHARMED BY HER VOICE THROUGHOUT. IT HAS THAT "IT" QUALITY THAT GREAT SINGERS HAVE, A UNIQUE SOMETHING YOU CAN'T QUITE PUT YOUR FINGER ON, BUT YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HEAR IT, A "CATCHINESS" OF A KIND THAT YOU HEAR WHEN YOU LISTEN TO WOMEN SINGERS FROM ELLA FITZGERALD AND PEGGY LEE TO JANIS JOPLIN AND BONNIE RIATT. SMALL WONDER THAT MAURA O'CONNELL IS NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY THIS YEAR!!!

I recently became aware of Maura again while browsing Amazon & seeing that she's got a new release coming out this summer. I think this was the 1st CD of hers I bought many yrs ago & I love it still. All the tracks are good, but standouts include: Burning My own Rowboat, When your heart is weak, Ireland & her cover of Lennon-McCartney's For No One. I've seen her perform live several times over the yrs & even once had the privilege of meeting her. She's a great performer & a delightful person.

The entire album is golden beginning to end. I guarantee you listen to Burning my own rowboat & When your heart is weak over and over.

Beatles song + Maura ...what can I say only A+.

Brilliant album!!

Michael

if you have never heard Ms. O'Connell, take a chance--you won't be sorry... she exudes such depth and feeling which will keep this CD in your player for many rotations. i remember when i first heard the track "Ireland," i could not sit still as it made me want to dance, and then i was nearly moved to tears with "I Don't Know Why." simply put: what a wonderful artist.