Long Black Veil

The Chieftains

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 1995)
• Original Release Date: January 24, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B000003FRH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,388 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #18 in	Music > Folk > Traditional British & Celtic Folk > Celtic Folk
  #19 in	Music > Folk > Traditional British & Celtic Folk > British Folk
  #45 in	Music > Folk > Traditional British & Celtic Folk > Irish Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

More than three decades and many albums spent charting the gorgeous musical landscape of Ireland have made the Chieftains by far the world's most recognized and qualified ambassadors of Celtic sound and rhythm. Having toured the globe and garnered numerous awards, the traditional sextet has set its sights on something bigger: the pop charts. Though they've worked in the past with names like Roger Daltrey, Nanci Griffith, and Willie Nelson, on The Long Black Veil the Chieftains graduate to A-list guest stars with appearances by Sting, the Rolling Stones, and, yes, even Tom Jones.

It's a testimony to the considerable talents and character of the Chieftains that none of the celebrity personalities or egos upstage the band on this record. Rather, the musicians always stay in control and the instruments remain at the center of the songs. So while Mick Jagger delivers a stirring reading of the title song, it's the pipes and fiddles that transform the country standard into deep Gaelic soul music. Turns by Marianne Faithfull, Ry Cooder, Mark Knopfler, Sinead O'Connor, and old buddy Van Morrison (doing his own "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?") come off predictably and competently, but breathing life into familiar, mostly traditional tunes like "The Lily of the West" and "The Foggy Dew" is ultimately the province of bandleader/tin whistler Paddy Moloney and his more-than-competent mates. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW...SIMPLY AMAZING!, December 31, 2000

By	Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This is a terrific CD, with its wild meld of celtic, pop, folk, and country strains. The Chieftains, accompanied by such music greats as Sting, Mick Jagger, Sinead O'Connor, The Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithfull, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, among others...who would have thought such an assemblage would result in such a cohesive recording of such wildly divergent music. Of particular note are Sting's mournful rendition of "Mo Ghile Mear" and Sinead O'Connor's stylization of "The Foggy Dew" and "He Moved Through The Fair". Mick Jagger also does justice to "A Long Black Veil". This CD is simply a great recording overall!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Can You Go Wrong With a Lineup Like This?, March 20, 2000

By	F. Lowell "Midnightdj" (Highland Mills, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a wild, rollicking, fantastic blend of Celtic, Pop and American country music. I am forever amazed at the number of superstars clamoring to record with The Chieftains. Sting, Sinead O'Connor, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Ry Cooder, and others all excel on this collaboration, but one of my favorite selections is "Changing Your Demeanour" sung by The Chieftains' own Kevin Conneff. His Irish tenor is a delight to listen to!

"Rocky Road to Dublin", performed by The Chieftains and the Rolling Stones is a real hoot and a great way to close out the album! Check out the sudden launching into "Satisfaction" part way through the song!

The only weak spot I feel is "Tennessee Waltz", sung by Tom Jones. I have never been a fan of Jones and I feel his voice has deteriorated over the years. That is a minor quibble, however.

Buy this CD if you enjoy hearing wonderful collaborations!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Renditions of Classic Songs, April 7, 2007

By	Lisa Shea "LisaShea.com" - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

I've been a fan of the Chieftains for many years. I saw them play live in Millstreet, County Cork, and the band was simply phenomenal. They truly deserve the kudos they have received over the years for their musicianship and down to earth friendliness.

The Long Black Veil is a bit of a departure for them - the band serves as a background for many modern, popular artists. You might think that Sting, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, Sinead O'Connor, Van Morrison and others might overpower this group of folk players. But actually, the opposite happens. Sting's lilting voice fades seamlessly into the background as the gorgeous melodies intertwine. The songs are memorable not because a "famous name" is attached to the title, but because the classic tune is handled deftly by the Chieftains, and a well trained voice happens to supply the vocals.

It's fascinating in a way to see this diverse group of artists all singing traditional songs - songs that you might not otherwise ever hear them take on. But the real joy here is to hear your favorite classics done with such care and love. These artists all chose songs that had great meaning to them, and the Chieftains put their souls into the richness of the underlying tune. Each song here is a favorite for me for a different reasons.

Some Irish CDs are meant to be played in the background while people chug beer and talk in loud voices. Other CDs are put on for wild dancing and cheering the night through. This CD shines when you sit back, a glass in your hand, and you really listen to the nuances. You can hear the peat crackling softly on the fire, the wind whistling across the foggy meadows, and the textures of Ireland's past whispering through the beats. I've owned this for many years, and it's a CD I always come back to.

Highly recommended.