Tears of Stone

The Chieftains | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00000I5G0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,206 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

So thoroughly identified are they with Irish music, that even when the Chieftains depart from the tradition--to collaborate with Chinese, country, or pop musicians, for example--they lose not a drop of credibility in the process. On Tears of Stone, the group accompanies a bevy of internationally acclaimed female vocalists on traditional tunes with inventive new arrangements by Paddy Moloney. Sinead O'Connor and the Corrs remain close to their roots, while Bonnie Raitt, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Loreena McKennitt, and Joan Osborne all sound more than convincingly Celtic. The best performances, however, are by those artists least attached to the tradition. Moloney's take on Joni Mitchell's "The Magdalene Laundries" outdoes the original; "Sake in the Jar," composed for Japanese pop star Akiko Yano, sounds like a new form of music altogether; and Canadian jazz singer Diana Krall's "Danny Boy" doesn't so much tug at the heartstrings as rip them out by the roots. --Richard Gehr

Product Description

This 1999 release has the Chieftains collaborating with guest female vocalists and musicians including Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall, Joan Osbourne, Akikio Yano, Sinead O'Connor and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rich, Rewarding Tapestry of Sound, August 9, 2000

By 

Bruce Kendall "BEK" (Southern Pines, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tears of Stone (Audio CD)

This CD caught me by surprise, though I am a Chieftan Junkie. It is similar to "Long Black Veil," in that it features various artists in collaboration, but it really transcends anything they've done before. It has introduced me to some female artists with whom I was previously unfamiliar, such as Akiko Yano. Actually her cut reminds me more of the sixties song "Sukiyaki," (which I loved, by the way) than traditional Celtic music. Loreena McKennitt was also new to me, but she absolutely stops the show and delivers a dulcet-toned rendition of "Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure," - extremely plaintive and gorgeous all-around. I have heard a lot about Sissel recently, but this was my first opportunity to hear her. Now I have some understanding of what all the Sissel fuss is about coming from Europe. I also have to differ with another reviewer and say that I was glad Joni Mitchell was represented on the album. I thought her contribution was very much in "tune" with the rest of the album. This is a particularly great CD to insert in the player at the end of an otherwise hectic day. Take wine glass or beer or other preferred beverage in hand and let your soul be gently borne by the gently lilting lyrics and melodies. You will find the perfect way to unwind.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful mixture of the female voice and Celtic melody, June 12, 2002

By 

Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tears of Stone (Audio CD)

This is a slow and soulful album. Don't expect a lot of jigs, reels, hornpipes and stuff...in fact, don't expect any. But do expect deeply moving and beautifully sung songs. There are lots of standouts here: Bonnie Raitt singing "A Stor Mo Chroi", Natalie Merchant singing "The Lowlands of Holland", Joni Mitchell's own song "The Magdalene Laundries", The Corrs "I Know My Love", Sinead O'Connor's "Factory Girl", Loreena Mc Kennitt's "Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure", and Joan Osborne's "Raglan Road". However, these songs are low key, slow, and emotive, and so the long instrumental with Eileen Ivers and others, "The Fiddling Ladies" does come as a very welcome and upbeat relief. Also, the change of pace makes it easier to set the true ultimate song by itself, Diana Krall's exquisite rendition of "Danny Boy".

If you love the feminine voice and Celtic melody, this CD is a "must buy".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, with a few great tracks, September 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tears of Stone (Audio CD)

Not as consistently excellent as "The Long Black Veil", but buy this album for three great songs: "The Lowlands of Holland" (Natalie Merchant uses her beautiful voice with great subtlety), "I Know My Love" (The Corrs' version is irresistible; the lead vocal is reminiscent of Debbie Harry on some of Blondie's most upbeat songs), and "Raglan Road" (Joan Osborne's voice can break your heart, and it's just as devastating here as on the best songs from "Relish"). A CD with three great songs is better than one with twelve good ones! The rest of the album is fun to listen to, but not memorable.