Saints & Scoundrels

Sharon Shannon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B002T0VSVO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Recorded between Summer 2008 and Summer 2009, Saints and Scoundrels is the new studio album from Sharon Shannon, Ireland's multi-platinum selling and award winning accordion player. Saints & Scoundrels includes several newly penned tracks by the accordion maestro herself and boasts a hoard of special guests including Shane MacGowan, Iimelda May, Jerry Fish, Carol Keogh (Automata), Justin Adams (Robert Plant Band) and introducing the mighty Cartoon Thieves. One of her instrumentals, "Cape Clear", will be featured in the new Neil Jordan movie, Ondine in which Sharon stars as herself alongside Colin Farrell. (This will be premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2009) Perhaps the most musically important track is "Saints and Angels" written by chief Waterboy Mike Scott. This track was written for their Fisherman's Blues album (but was never included on the album). The new recording features the first ever reunion of that classic 1989 line-up that includes Mike, Steve Wickham, Anthony Thistlethwaite and Sharon. The instrumentation is largely made up from Sharon's touring band, which includes drums, bass, Hammond organ, electric guitars, sax and provides a muscular rhythm to Sharon's accordion, fiddle and whistle playing. Once again the variety and talent of the guests who contribute on Sharon's Saints & Scoundrels new release serves to highlight her musical versatility, wide appeal and huge respect from within the musical community.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars RMDB recommends, July 30, 2011

By 

CD LP 45 78 "CD LP 45 78" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saints & Scoundrels (Audio CD)

I thought the cover looked interesting when I checked it out of the library, never having heard of Sharon Shannon. The music grabbed me from the opening cut, Mama Lou. There are some rollicking songs here, along with instrumentals Wild West Wagon Train, Cape Clear, and Lady Luck, ending with Rake at the Gates of Hell, written and sung by Shane MacGowan.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great roots-music set from this Irish accordionist, September 20, 2010

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Saints & Scoundrels (Audio CD)

Sharon Shannon
"Saints And Scoundrels"
(Compass Records, 2010)
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If you put this record on for your average Celtic music fan (assuming there is such a thing) and didn't tell them anything about it, I doubt many listeners would guess that this was an album by Irish accordion wizard Sharon Shannon. A robust, lively mixture of styles, with lusty jug-band blues and rollicking roots-Americana -- along with a healthy dose of Celtic craic -- this album is a radical departure from most of Shannon's earlier work. Sure, the adventurous, acclaimed Ms. Shannon has never shied away from blending genres or stylistic experimentation, but this energetic, joyful set dips deep into the wellsprings of American country and blues, and really brings out a new side to her work. Guest artists include a group called The Cartoon Thieves, as well as Shane McGowan (of the Pogues) and Mike Scott and the Waterboys, who Shannon toured with for many years. It's quite a nice album, with a boisterousness and sense of fun that's completely infectious... Definitely worth checking out! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To World Music)