The Long Black Veil - Chieftains (The) (CD 1995)

I have always had trouble writing music ops. I find it very difficult in transferring one medium (music) into another (writing). But I thought I would give it a stab with one of my all time favorite albums. Long Black Veil by the Chieftains is probably one of my top ten favorite s albums of all time. Now, I will admit that it is not popular music, nor it is it for everyone. Many people would find it an odd choice. Irish music isn t for everyone. However, I think this album may have more general appeal than the other albums by the Chieftains. Why would I think that? Because this album isn t just the Chieftains. It is songs played by the Chieftains but the songs are sung by a variety of popular singers, such as Mick Jagger and Sting. Now, I know what you must be thinking. Mick Jagger singing Irish Folk Music. Yes, you would be surprised. That s one of the reasons I love this album so much, it s very different and surprising.

Now that I ve rambled on a bit about why I like this album, maybe it would help if I told you what was actually on the album.

Track One:

Mo Ghile Mear - "Our Hero" with Sting (3:22)

I first heard this album when my best friend played it for me telling me I would love it. Then she started the cd. I heard a faintly familiar voice singing to me, but I couldn t understand a word he was saying. Then I realized he was singing in Gaelic. Hmmm, was this going to be for me? I don t understand Gaelic but the music was beautiful and his voice took me away. Then she told me it was Sting. Really? Not his usual sound. Then he began to sing in English and I realized it was about a cavalier about to go off to battle. I ve since begun to realize how melodic Gaelic can be. It has become one of my favorite songs.

Track Two:

The Long Black Veil with Mick Jagger (3:38)

Okay, now I was really wondering what I was listening to. Mick Jagger singing Irish music? However, it was in English, so I listened. The sad tale of a lover put to death with the haunting lyrics and flutes were perfect. Mick Jagger does an excellent rendition of a typical Irish love song. A man is accused of murder, however he didn t do it. The judge asks him for his alibi. But he can never tell the judge where he really was, he was with his best friend s wife. So instead, he keeps silent and is put to death for a murder he didn t commit. So she walks his grave in a long, black veil. The title track is my choice for the best track on the album. How could I not love the beautiful irony of it? It appeals to the cynic and the lover in me.

Track Three:

The Foggy Dew with Sin ad O'Connor (5:20)

Now here was one that made complete sense, Sinead O Connor singing a song I had heard her sing before. Her powerful voice matched with the type of lyrics I knew her to sing. It was Sinead who had first introduced me to Irish music in the first place, what little I had heard. I love her ability to fill the lyrics with meaning using simply her unique voice. The tale of soldiers walking into defeat through the morning fog is touching and real. After years of sending off their lads to die for home and hearth, the song has both meaning and real emotion behind it.

Track Four:

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? with Van Morrison (4:40)

Here they take a step back from the typical Irish music that the album had contained up to now. Here was a song familiar to me with a whole new twist to it. With the tin whistle and pipes behind it, Van Morrison gives a new look to an old tune. I will also admit that this is not one of my favorite tracks. I m not all that fond of the song to begin with. However, it is an interesting version.

Track Five:

Changing Your Demeanour (3:16)

Now here is The Chieftains. With no special guests performing on this track, you get pure Chieftains sound and talent. With the tin whistle and the bodhran going at top speed, it will lift your mood and get your feet tapping. It will also have you staring with wonder at the amazing ability, speed and talent present here. My daughter heard this song once and asked me if that was real music. When I asked her what she meant, she said that no one could possible sing that fast. But the amazing thing is, they can play and sing that fast, yet you are still able to hear what they are saying, unlike some of the rap you hear today, where they sing fast and you understand none of what they are saying. I still can t sing along with it, even knowing the lyrics though. The skill and ability takes my breath away. Another of my all time favorites, it s hard to listen to this song without feeling energized.

Track Six:

The Lily Of The West with Mark Knopfler (5:10)

Here we find another of your typical Irish love songs. With haunting pipes and tin whistles, you hear a breathy voice telling the tale of a man in love with a woman who is unworthy. She is unfaithful to him and he kills her lover. I wonder if there is an Irish love song with a happy ending. However, it appeals to me listening to all of the tales of unfaithful loves and broken hearts. Maybe it is the cynic in me, but I love it. I love the way most of these songs tell a tale, be it happy or sad. It makes me think that this is how the bards of yesteryears must have sounded. Traveling from town to town telling tales and passing on history through music.

Track Seven:

Coast of Malabar with Ry Cooder (6:01)

I have to say that while this song is very haunting and beautiful, it is my least favorite of all of the songs. I can t say why, it just is. Have you ever had a song you just didn t like and can t figure out what it is about it that bugs you? That s this song to me. It s very well performed. The lyrics are okay. I just don t care for it. Rather slow, it is very melodic. It paints a very interesting picture of islands and leaving a true love behind.

Track Eight:

Dunmore Lassies (Instrumental) with Ry Cooder (5:14)

A true show of talent once again, this purely instrumental is Irish music at its best. Upbeat and fun, it s a great tune. Another toe tapper that I love to clean house to.

Track Nine:

Love is Teasin with Marianne Faithfull

Now here is an odd combination. The Chieftains great musical talent paired with the unusual, throaty vocals of Marianne Faithfull. Another cynical tune about untrue love. The lyrics paint a vivid vision of a woman grown bitter by a husband who married her and then when she grew old and tired, began to seek attention from firm young things. True to the fickleness of love. Her voice is perfectly suited for the tune and she does a fantastic job of it.

Track Ten:

He Moved Through The Fair with Sin ad O'Connor (4:54)

One of the few hopeful Irish love songs I ve ever heard, you are treated again to the amazing talents of Sinead O Connor. Singing about her young love walking away from her as she dreams about the day they are to be wed. I can think of no better voice to sing this than hers. I find her range and tone to be perfectly suited to the song. She portrays a sound that is both poignant and sweet. While I don t find that I like all of the music that she sings to be this good, I find the two songs that she sings on this album to be perfectly suited to her voice and her style.

Track Eleven:

Ferny Hill (Instrumental) (3:43)

Another example of the wonderful musical abilities of the Chieftains. I find it hard to say much about instrumental pieces, other than to say that I am in awe of their great talent. They are able to give a mood and feeling even without the lyrics to paint the picture. The addition of a Mideastern guitar into the mix makes it an interesting experience.

Track Twelve:

Tennessee Waltz / Tennessee Mazurka with Tom Jones (3:58)

Here we have another old time popular tune with a different flavor. Tom Jones has an interesting voice to mix with the Irish instruments of the Chieftains. Not a song I would have thought I would have liked. I didn t like the song to begin with. However, with the different instruments and Tom Jones voice, I found myself actually liking this song that I had before not enjoyed. It is something to find a song that you didn t like before to now be listening to it with a fresh ear and finding that you are enjoying it.

Track Thirteen:

The Rocky Road To Dublin with the Rolling Stones (5:06)

Here we find the Rolling Stones making an appearance. With vocals performed by not Mick, but Kevin Conneff , this is a great song. Here you find, once again, the amazing speed and ability showing. The one thing I do have to say about this song is that at one point, the electric guitars join in and it sounds muddled. It smoothes out again, but for a small part, I find it to be almost jarring in the sound. . It is all held together by some great drumming which carries the tune through. While I admire their daring in mixing two completely different styles of instruments and sound, at some point, it didn t work. However, over all, this is a great song with some great singing


That s all the songs. For just a bit more info, here is the info about the band and the producers:

The Chieftains are Martin Fay, Sean Keane, Kevin Conneff, Matt Molloy, Paddy, Moloney, Derek Bell
The album producers are Paddy Moloney tracks 2, 13 with Chris Kimsey and track 7 with Ry Cooder


So, that s all of it. If you have made it this far, thank you. I realize that this type of music is not for everyone. Not everyone will rush out to hear this album. But this is an album I listen to at least once a week and still find enjoyment. So I thought I would make some small (long) attempt at sharing my enjoyment with others. Of course, after this attempt, you may find yourself avoiding it due to my clumsy descriptions. Please, don t let my inability to describe it to keep you from at least giving it a go. You may find yourself as surprised as I was at enjoying it.