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Irish Heartbeat

The Chieftains, ,, Van Morrison
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews) | More about this product

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The Chieftains
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Van Morrison
Van Morrison
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Product Details

  • Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
  • Original Release Date: 1988
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Polydor
  • ASIN: B000009DDO
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,615 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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1. Star of the County Down
2. Irish Heartbeat
3. Tá Mo Chleamhnas Déanta (My Match It Is Made)
4. Raglan Road
5. She Moved Through the Fair - Van Morrison
6. I'll Tell Me Ma
7. Carrickfergus
8. Celtic Ray
9. My Lagan Love
10. Marie's Wedding

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's not often mentioned as one of Van Morrison's signature performances, but the highpoint of this 1988 collaboration--a heartbreaking rendition of the traditional tune "Carrickfergus"--ranks with anything the man has done. Morrison delivers the deathbed lament with a mix of fervor and penitence that's utterly convincing as the Chieftains enshroud him in a Gaelic tapestry of sound. The remainder of this reissue of the 1988 collaboration between Ireland's finest ain't too shabby, either. On more upbeat selections such as "The Star of the County Down," Morrison sounds uncharacteristically frisky, as if he's delighted to share the burden with the Chieftains. Listeners are likely to find the alliance equally satisfying. --Steven Stolder


Product Description

20 bit remastered reissue of Van's 1988 album for Polydor, acollaboration with the Chieftains. 10 tracks, including 'Star Of The County Down' & 'Marie's Wedding'. 1998 Exile/ Polydor release.

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Customer Reviews

47 Reviews
5 star:
 (35)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (47 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It's Ridiculous If You Don't Own This, May 26, 2004
By Gavin B. (St. Louis MO) - See all my reviews
As funny man Jack Black once said in "High Fidelity", "It's ridiculous if you don't own this album." ....and that goes double for those who are fans of Van Morrison or Celtic music. "Irish Heartbeat" was a landmark album because it was the first attempt by Celtic traditionalists, The Chieftains, to collaborate with well known popular music singers. Contrary to the complaints of a few "critics", (aye, me friends, they are likely to be agents of the Royal Ulster Constabulary), Paddy and his lads from Dublin do some of their most inspired playing behind Van's soulful crooning. It is a snapshot of Van Morrison riding the crest of his longest wave of artistic success. Arguably the five year period between 1985 and 1990 was the most sustained upward arc of the long and frequently mercurial career of Morrison. The line-up of the Chieftains is also their most musically accomplished grouping in their long 40 plus year history. The six man Chieftain unit on "Irish Heartbeat" played together longer than all other editions of the group combined.

When I first purchased "Irish Heartbeat" in 1988, I confess I did so with a great deal of trepidation. I've never been a fan of collaborative albums by "superstar" musicians. Frequently these albums bring out the worst performance impulses of the musicians. Too often these collaborations becomes a game of musical brinkmanship where musicians play against each other for dominance; or even worse, in an attempt to accommodate each other, musicians play from a banal template, rather than risk being branded a "solo hog" or a "glory hound". I had seen both the Chieftains and Van Morrison live and had nightmarish visions of Van dropping to the floor and lurching into one of his signature stream of consciousness "soul raps" with the clueless Chieftains trying to "get funky with the rhythm." Of course, it didn't work out that way because the collaboration between Van and the Chieftains turned out to be one of those rare matches improved the performance of all the musicians. As it turned out Morrison had considerable depth in his in his renderings of these Celtic standards, but the real surprise is how readily the Chieftains can push Van into some of the most impassioned vocals he's ever done.

Almost every song on "Irish Heartbeat" is a traditional Celtic songs but Morrison's unique treatment of them, make them sound as if he wrote them. Moloney and Morrison, as co-producers, made the right decision to showcase Van's vocals, but the Chieftains sound so comfortable with Morrison's idiosyncratic vocals, it's as if they had been backing him for years. The flute and pipes with the intertwining of stings are sparse enough to give adequate space for Morrison's voice to wander. Morrison is not a traditional "pure" Irish tenor, but he brings his considerable skill at interpreting American rhythm and blues to great effect. Though the music stays traditional, Morrison's unorthodox vocals breathes a fresh perspective into the familiar classics. High points include Van's wickedly hedonistic interpretation of "Marie's Wedding" over the irresistible pulse of Kevin Conneff's Bodhran drum. The "Star of County Down" a frequent set list song for the Chieftains never dazzled as much as on "Irish Heartbeat." The real revelation is the old Irish drinking song "Carrickfergus". This ballad of the tribulations of the drinking class is sung with such searing melancholy by Morrison that it will bring a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. Morrison's plaintive yet passionate rendition of "Carrickfergus" is the high point of an album that is the benchmark by which great accomplishments in both pop and folk music should be measured.

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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to The Chieftains, July 25, 1999
By A Customer
This CD was my introduction to the Chieftains and to Celtic music. I had enjoyed listening to Van Morrison since the '60's but had grown tired of his music. When a friend introduced me to Irish Heartbeat I was totally enthralled by the rich folky tunes. It became my favorite CD and stayed as such for more than a year. When my daughter was born in 1990, I often sang her my favorite songs from this exquisite collection, "Star of the County Down" or "Marie's Wedding". She just turned 9 years old and she still requests them from time to time. It is the best of all The Chieftain CD's I have heard (over 10 in all). if you like The Chieftains, Van Morrison, World Music or Celtic Music... or if you want to hear something a hundred times better than your "Riverdance" CD, there is no better place to start than "Irish Heartbeat".
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting and Memorable, September 5, 2004
By Michael Heumann (El Centro, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I bought this album when it came out in 1988. I think I had it on cassette. I remember working at a park in Northern California that summer and listening to this wonderful album over and over again. I loved it then and I love it now. In fact, I love it even more since my wife and I returned from a trip to Ireland earlier this year, having immersed ourselves in Irish music for a solid week.

I've always loved the traditional Irish music, not only for the melodies but also for the rich sense of history and community the lyrics convey. However, what makes this album stand out is Van Morrison. He is an incredible singer who knows these songs and their history in vivid detail. That he collaborates with the best group of traditional musicians in Ireland means that he can transform these famous songs into something enchanting, memorable: as good as any album you're likely to hear this year (or any year).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars True roots music from Vans heart!
I had to wait for ages to finally get this collectors album and totally worth the wait! The galic and celtic tones come naturally and flow beautifully from a very talented Van... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Christopher Bright

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless music
I never tire of listening to this music, I have had this CD for several years and it is always enjoyable to me. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Irisheyes490

5.0 out of 5 stars If this ain't Irish...........
I'll kiss your A_s! Van Morrison and the Cheiftians, this my #2 rated cd in my entire collection. If you like Irish music it don't get no better than this.
Published 17 months ago by Roland

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystic sounds
Amazing combination. The Chieftains, often seen as the most traditional of Irish groups and Van Morrison from protestant Belfast, gruff soulful/blues singer. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Billy Finn

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Irish music, classic Van Morrison
No longer available except on the secondary market, I encourage you to look hard for Irish Heartbeat. This is a gem if you enjoy Celtic soul. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Bright Spot

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny thing happened on the way back from the CD store....
I used to be a DJ back in Chicago, and we were doing a wedding with a ton of Irish guests. My boss told me to go fetch some Irish music. Read more
Published on November 8, 2007 by Grigory's Girl

1.0 out of 5 stars molly
This is what happens when a child of Irish parents trys to sing Irish folk music
Published on September 24, 2007 by B. Rowan

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic!
This album is a simply wonderful collaboration of two great Irish talents. The first is Van Morrison, that great Irish singer who is remembered for such great songs as "Brown-Eyed... Read more
Published on March 5, 2006 by Kurt A. Johnson

3.0 out of 5 stars Irish music fan
I was somewhat disappointed in this cd. I expected music that was more authentic than what was on the cd. I heard what sounded like rock music. Read more
Published on February 18, 2006 by Christine J. Stewart

5.0 out of 5 stars Irish music at his best
this is a masterpiece, a great album from great artists: the Chieftains and Van Morrison; and that's all, folks!
Published on August 28, 2005 by T. G. Bertoni

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