O'Connor's new reggae rasta roots disc

[archaeopteryx]

A DJ friend of mine played Sinead O'Connor's new roots reggae tribute disc, 'Throw Down Your Arms' for me last night at a party. I must admit I have been ambivalent about O'Connor in the past (always thought she had an awesome voice, at least), but this record is stunning. I thought Willie Nelson's reggae album stunk (he recorded it in LA), but O'Connor went to Kingston and recorded her record at Tuff Gong with Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare producing & playing. Also, for each song, she had at least one of the musicians who played on the original sessions of the classics. The result? Un-f'ing-believable. Her voice and attitude are made for these songs. The arrangements are beyond excellent and the delivery knocked me off my chair. She tackles Burning Spear's Jah Nuh Dead til your spine shivers. Her take on Tosh's 'Downpressor Man' is otherworldly. 'Marcus Garvey' is also outstanding, as is 'Y Mas Gan' and 'Vampire.' My fave track is 'Curly Locks.' It's like some crystalline vision in blue. 'He Prayed' is another wonder. The whole thing is drop-dead sincere and passionate...apocalyptic, even. She's incorporated celtic and rasta before, but this is pure rasta and to hear a woman singing these songs (especially with a voice like hers) has made a believer out of me. Totally spiritual disc. This one should be heard, mon. "Throw Down Your Arms" is the name of the disc, and I was happy to read in MOJO that the album rated five stars. An awesome effort that totally made me rethink the way I felt about O'Connor. I think her website has some streaming tracks:

www.sineadoconnormusic.com

Seriously, check it out--this is a heartfelt and knock-out tribute to these classics and she brings something new to them without changing the dynamic or the message. Surreal. I suppose the icing on the cake is that she will be touring the USA in Nov-Dec WITH Sly and Robbie: New York, Boston, Chicago, Philly, Cleveland, etc. Jah, I got my tix. Chant down Babylon, indeed!

[DudeAsInCool]

Ive heard good things - I will check it out

[DudeAsInCool]

This IS pretty good - check it out