Irish Heartbeat [Original recording remastered]

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

Album 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.

Amazon.com

His early career found him immersed more in American blues and jazz than his own Celtic heritage, but Van Morrison has periodically revisited that facet of his music since the mid-'70s, when Veedon Fleece offered his first clutch of explicitly Irish songs. No album has found him digging deeper than this 1988 collaboration with the Chieftains, who more than meet Morrison's always high standards for musicianship and produce a rich, empathic backdrop for a set of traditional ballads, jigs, and reels, with an acoustic remake of Morrison's own "Celtic Ray" and the lovely title song. With two of Ireland's finest female singers (Maura O'Connell and Mary Black) along for the ride, this amounts to an Irish supergroup--and the music lives up to that promise. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

A generally inspired collaboration.......1998-05-29

The Chieftains' recordings with pop artists have been only intermittently successful, but this album is the exception. Morrison owes a greater debt to traditional, unaccompanied "sean-nos" Irish singing than is often realized. Most of these tunes show off his skills well, from the chipper "Star of the County Down" (which is usually given a far too sentimental performance) to the passionate "She Moved Through the Fair" and "My Lagan Love," and what is surely the definitive version of "Carrickfergus." His own "Irish Heartbeat" and "Celtic Ray" are given spirited performances as well. "I'll Tell Me Ma" and "Marie's Wedding" don't particularly suit his style (the latter is too self-consciously cute), but his performances are tongue-in-cheek enough to make them palatable. Overall, a good show.

Average customer rating:

Magic!
Irish music fan
Irish music at his best
A cut above the average Irish album. Huzzah for Morrison.
I didn't expect to like this...

Irish Heartbeat
Van Morrison & The Chieftains
Manufacturer: Polydor / UMGD
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Best of the Chieftains
Long Black Veil
Moondance
Magic Time
Saint Dominic's Preview

ASIN: B000009DDO
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

Star Of The County Down
Irish Heartbeat
Ta Mo Chleamhnas Deanta
Raglan Road
She Moved Through The Fair
I'll Tell Me Ma
Carrickfergus
Celtic Ray
My Lagan Love
Marie's Wedding

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

Album 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.

Customer Reviews:

Magic!.......2006-03-06

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 Girl" and "Moondance" (one of my personal favorites!). The second is The Chieftains, whose albums are always the very epitome of Irish traditional music. Together, it's...magic!

This is a great album, with a sound that is pure Ireland. I always loved Van Morrison, and must admit that I was dubious of what this album would sound like. But, in fact, this album is great, and I love the sound. If you are a fan of great Irish music, then you will love this album. I give it my highest recommendations!

Irish music fan.......2006-02-18

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. The cd entitled "the best of the chieftains" was more to my liking.

Irish music at his best.......2005-08-28

this is a masterpiece, a great album from great artists: the Chieftains and Van Morrison; and that's all, folks!

A cut above the average Irish album. Huzzah for Morrison........2005-08-04

`Irish Heartbeat' is a collaboration of Van Morrison and the famed Irish band, The Chieftains, which owes as much to the synergy between the two talents as is does to the skills and artistry of each on their own.

This album has not nearly the same breadth and variety as the great Chieftains album, `The Long Grey Veil' with almost as many different guest artists (including Van Morrison) as there are tracks on the CD, especially if you count each of the members of The Rolling Stones individually. But, the appearance of Morrison and two of his songs sets the album above the run of the mill Irish album, even the run of the mill Chieftains album, who have had more than their share of superior albums.

Irish music albums suffer from the perception that all Irish songs are really the same melody done in various different styles, as a ballad, a jig, a hornpipe, or what have you. I never totally bought into this contention, but there is a sense that the `Irish lilt' can get a bit boring after hearing the 67th song with fiddle and pennywhistle.

But anyway, back to this album. Morrison's primary contribution is his great distinctive singing style, including what may be described as a Celtic scat vocal style which has been heard on his recordings for decades now.

If you simply have no use for Irish music, you will not like this album. But, If you do appreciate it now and again, this album is certainly better than average. If you are a Van Morrison fan, you must have this disc!

I didn't expect to like this..........2005-05-31

I always hated Van Morrison, and would make fun of him when my mom played his music. But I heard "Star of the County Down" and fell in love with this music.

Average customer rating:

Good CD, but declines in quality as you listen to it
Excellent All-Around Celtic Collection!

Celtic Heartbeat Collection
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Celtic Heartbeat Collection, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000005B2Q
Release Date: 1997-06-17

Tracks:

Caracena - Bill Whelan
Blackbird - Sharon Shannon
All The Lies That You Told Me - Frances Black
Theme From Harry's Game - Clannad
The Hazel Woods - Deelan Masterson
The Storm - Moving Hearts
Road To Glory - Eleanor Shirley
Inis Sui - Maire Breatnach
Chetvorno Horo - Andy Irvine & David Spillane
Down By The Sally Gardens - Alec Finn
The Blue Birds - Anuna
The Winters End - Liam O'Flynn

Customer Reviews:

Good CD, but declines in quality as you listen to it.......2000-07-04

The first couple of songs are the best. However, the CD declines in quality a little as you continue to listen to the CD. I'm not implying that latter songs are bad, it's just that they aren't as exceptionally good as the first few tracks. But I guess that is typical of a lot of other CD's as well. I'd probably give this 4.5 stars if I could.

Excellent All-Around Celtic Collection!.......1999-02-20

Was enthralled at first listen! It has quickly become one of my alltime favourite CDs in any genre. It's a great way for listeners new to Celtic music to "get their ears wet", but with enough basic rythms and melodies to please a seasoned traditionalist. Some of the instrumentals - "Caracena" by Bill Whelan, "Chetvorno Horo" by Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane - will be recognizable to those familiar with Riverdance. The haunting vocals on tracks like "All the Lies That You Told Me" by Frances Black and "The Blue Bird" by Anuna literally cause goosebumps, and of course the "Theme From Harry's Game" by Clannad remains ever-magical. All in all, this collection offers something EVERYONE! A *must-have* for any music lover!

Average customer rating:

Celtic Heartbeat Christmas
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Celtic Christmas IV
Celtic Christmas, Vol. 3

ASIN: B00000GEAK
Release Date: 1996-09-03

Tracks:

Na Hu O Ho - Julianne Baird
Snowy Path - Altan
Dream in the Night - Clannad
Snowy Birch Trees - Thomas Loefke
Maria Matrem Virginem [Maria Virgin Mother] - An
Wexford Carol - Nightnoise
Night Before Christmas (The Devil in the Kitchen) - Ashley MacIsaac
No Sandman, No Santa - Brian Dunning
Winter, Fire and Snow - Benita Hill
Oiche Nollaid (Christmas Eve) - Cormac Breatnach
Christmas Pipes - Julianne Baird
Fairy Child - Declan Masterson
Oe Chiilent Night) - ne Minogue
Angels Are Singing - An

Average customer rating:

Wonderful music!
Not what i thought
Brilliant Songs from Great Irish Artists
Various artists re-interpret Irish folk music

The Celtic Heartbeat Collection, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

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Celtic Heartbeat Collection

ASIN: B000006C0U
Release Date: 1998-02-24

Tracks:

Riverdance - Bill Whelan
The Flower Of Maherally - Anuna
Compassion - The Spirit Of Eden
Eanair - Lunasa
The Sky Road - Frances Black
Patsy Denning Set - Luke Daniels
Home - Sean Keane
The Child Deirdre - Mychael Danna/Jeff Danna
North & South Of The River - Christy Moore
Legend Of Cuan - The Spitit Of Eden
Mna Na Heireann - Kate Bush
Sean Deora - Kila
He Moved Through The Fair (Live) - Sinead O'Connor

Amazon.com

There's so much gray area in the music generally termed Celtic that it's hard to know what to make of it. While some dives straight into the new age bins, much is as authentic as a shot of Bushmill's. This release is closer to Irish breakfast tea. It's new agey in spots, but with enough of the real thing to offer satisfaction. There are no pretensions of being traditional, and there's a definite attempt to woo the rock market, as on the song that finds the masterful Christy Moore joined by Bono and the Edge from U2. Nor are the women ignored. Kate Bush contributes her first new offering in a long time, singing in quite passable Gaelic. The crowning glory, ironically, belongs to someone who at one time seemed determined to put her heritage behind her--Sinead O'Connor. Here she gives a glorious sean nos--old style--rendition of "He Moves Through the Fair," one of the great songs from the tradition, with beautiful ornamentation, more than enough to tip the scales heavily in this collection's favor. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful music!.......2004-05-30

I happened to pick this album up for a pittance at a discount store. It has provided hours of enjoyment with a variety of songs ranging from sprited, (Riverdance), to the poignant Sky Road, which actually brought tears to my grown daughter...wonderful lyrics! A nice introduction into the world of Celtic music.

Not what i thought.......2002-11-16

Okay, so i truly thought this album would have some traditional celtic music without the new age fancy smancy. Boy was i wrong. The songs worthy of mention are "Eanair", which is a beautiful song and one of the best on the album, "The Sky Road" which is touching and sad, "The Child Dierdre" which too is beautiful, "Mna Na hEireann" is so so wonderful and just flat out pretty even if i don't know what the song means, "Sean Deora" is my favorite song on the whole album and the vocals are outstanding (kudos to Kila), and "He moved through the Fair" is beautiful all unto itself. The well known "Riverdance" is good too, leaves the dancing to yer imagination. I just have to say that some of the songs unmentioned sound way to close to western country music for my liking, and the strange new age songs help throw the stars down to 3. But the songs i mentioned are awesome. I probably would buy this album knowing what it was just for those songs. Best o Tidings to all.

Brilliant Songs from Great Irish Artists.......2001-01-13

If you love Irish music then this is one for your collection! All 13 songs are either adaptations from old folk music (such as Kate Bush singing {in Irish} "Mna Na Heireann" and Sinead O'Conner singing {almost} acappella "He Moved Through the Fair") or originals performed by Irish greats like Christy Moore, Sean Keane and Frances Black. This has a few toe tappers but it is mainly a mellow album full of tin whistles and uillian pipes. It has become one of those rare albums I can listen to in its entirety. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I!

Various artists re-interpret Irish folk music.......1999-02-13

As the name implies, this is a collection of songs based largely on Irish folk music. After a fast start with the well known "Riverdance", the album settles into a more relaxing tone the rest of the way. There are a few gems here that make the album worthwhile - along with a few less than inspired songs. It is interesting to note a few popular artists here take a step in a differant direction. Not quite New Age music, but also not quite your traditional Irish breakfast music.

Average customer rating:

Irish Blessings/ Instrumental
David Phillips
Manufacturer: Heartbeat Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000ICLU8G
Release Date: 2006-09-10

Tracks:

All Praise to St. Patrick
Killarney
Morning Has Broken
The Kerry Dance
Believe Me if All Those Enduring Young Charms
Be Thou My Vision
The Fairy Glen (D. Phillips)
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
Piping Tim of Galway
O Danny Boy
The Table of the High King (D. Phillips)
The Minstrel Boy
Cockles and Mussels
The Irish Washerwoman
Hail Glorious St. Patrick

Product Description

A delightful, instrumental album of traditional Irish favorites, plus two original pieces by David Phillips.

Average customer rating:

Clannad Themes

Manufacturer: Celtic Heartbeat/Atlantic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007S9P60

Product Description

Caracena - Bill Whelan Blackbird - Sharon Shannon All The Lies That You Told Me - Francis Black Theme From Harry's Game - Clannad The Hazel Woods - Declan Masterson The Storm - Moving Hearts Road To Glory - Eleanor Shanley Inis Sui - Maive Breatnach Chetvorno Horo - Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane Down By The Sally Gardens - Alec Finn The Blue Bird - Amina Winter's End - Liam O'Flynn

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