Track Listing

1. Can't Stop the Girl
2. Helpless Heart
3. Summerfly
4. Trouble in the Fields
5. Cast a Long Shadow
6. Only a Fool
7. Just Like the Blues
8. Isn't It Always Love
9. Bed for the Night
10. Western Highway
11. You'll Never Know

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #96560 in Music
• Released on: 1989-10-23
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Generally regarded as, along with Mary Black, the finest Irish singer going, O'Connell got her start in Ireland's thriving acoustic music circuit, though she has never been a traditional vocalist. Her voice is neither showy nor subtle, but it exudes warmth, generosity, and quiet strength. She's an interpreter, not a writer, someone who looks with an eye for the poetic, and generally finds just the right songs: "Summerfly" is a Cheryl Wheeler classic, "Trouble in the Fields" is an early, tough Nanci Griffith narrative, and "Western Highway" sounds like classic Americana. --Roy Francis Kasten

Customer Reviews

a voice that touches the soul....
maura o'connell...just saying the name makes me take a deep breath...her voice touches your soul,and on this cd,her very best,she captures your heart with songs like "only a fool" and the title track. but there's enough irish in her to kick up a little dust,as she still does with such grace,on tracks like "summerfly". this album would make a perfect gift for anybody or just treat yourself. this is one best kept secret that should be a secret no longer.

CAN'T STOP THE GIRL!!!!
Look, lets just lay it on the line here. Maura O'Connell is NOT...as described in the notational Amazon blurb...just one of the greatest IRISH singers around. You can take that restrictive little adjective qualifier out of the description and junk it. Maura O'Connell is one of the greatest SINGERS around. PERIOD.
"The Voice" can do virtually anything. Any genre (though I haven't heard her try opera yet), any tempo, any time, any place.
And when you HEAR "The Voice" you know it instantly to be hers...just as you do with Judith Durham of the old Seekers.Maura is Maura, and as soon as she starts up you know you can just settle back and expect a TREAT. "Red" ALWAYS delivers.
I Don't plan to go overlong with this review (if you want more yak from me about how good she is, go read the "Walls & Windows" review). Don't need to. This album is flat out WONDERFUL. It may well be her best. It has all the wonderful instrumentation you expect on an O'Connell CD, and all the heart and sublime vocal nuances. The songs on this thing are just fabulous from start to finish and I hesitate to name any titles at all as being "special". They ALL are. If pushed, I would have to say my biggest love affair here is with "Cast A Long Shadow" (but that's just me), though EVERYTHING else runs "dead-close second"!
If you have never heard Maura O'Connell before (what cave are YOU fresh out of?), then saddle up with THIS album, pardner. Right here. Right now. "Helpless Heart" is a real gem. Be warned, though. Once exposed to "Irish Red" you WILL absolutely and unequivocally become an O'Connell junkie and crave her music like a fish craves water.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!!!! Me, I'm about to DIE to hear her do
"Danny Boy"!!!!

Maura's Magic
Maura always seems to know exactly what songs to sing. It doesn't matter if it's a ballad or a fast rock track, her voice adapts to suit the mood. Maura's vocals are always inspiring, and this is my favorite of all of her albums. Especially notable are "Isn't It Always Love", "Trouble In The Fields", and a personal favorite: "Summerfly". Just one or two listens to any of these songs and you will find yourself humming at odd intervals. A must for anyone who enjoys sophisticated female singers or fans of folk, celtic, or americana. On this C.D. you will find songs to suit any occasion. A true gem.