THE CHIEFTAINS
The Essential Chieftains
Sony BMG
· You can’t help but raise a glass to "Lots of Drops of Brandy."
So, how do you approach the daunting task of summarizing a musical career that spans 40 years and as many albums in just two slim compact discs? With great care and precision, my friends, and plenty of consideration for that which has come before. The Essential Chieftains attempts to round up the best of the traditional Irish music that this multi-talented ensemble is best known for, as well as some of the more contemporary gems that have arisen out of their numerous collaborations with other artists.
The first disc is dedicated to The Chieftains’ Roots, summoning up old favourites like "O’Sullivan’s March" (The theme from Rob Roy), "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" and "Boil The Breakfast Early." Mmmmm, boiled breakfast.
Disc two explores the works of The Chieftains and Friends. Much like their 1995 release, Long Black Veil, which saw the lads mingling with Sting, Mick Jagger and Ry Cooder (to name a few), the second half of The Essential Chieftains is all duets. The Corrs give a warm performance on "I Know My Love," Bela Fleck takes on the "Belles of Blackville," Sinead O’Connor wanders like a banshee through "The Foggy Dew" and Elvis Costello joins them for the "Long Journey Home." Does this dichotomous collection truly represent the essential music of The Chieftains? Perhaps, but with only 35 songs, less than 10 per cent of the band’s canon – it can hardly be considered the definitive guide to The Chieftains.
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