Helpless Heart

Helpless Heart

Editorial Reviews
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

Tracks:

Can't stop The Girl
Helpless Heart
Summerfly
Trouble In The Fields
Cast A Long Shadow
Only A Fool
Just Like The Blues
Isn't It Always Love
Bed For The Night
Western Highway
You'll Never Know

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:

Modern, Mellow and Folksy.......2006-05-31

These are folksy type songs but they don't sound old or recycled. They have a fresh, modern sound to them without crossing the border into rock or pop or even country. Each of the songs on this album could conceivably fall into one of those other categories but they are more properly in their own. They are also quite enjoyable.

Maura has a lovely voice. It sometimes seems as if it has been electronically enhanced to compete with the very strong instrumentation but never sounds strained or overwhelmed. It is a nice mix.

Maura's Amazing Voice.......2006-05-19

My family and I just love Maura O'Connell. She has a voice like no other, a voice that just goes right to the heart of whatever music she is singing - ballad or "jig" or country or "standard" - she just sings it better than anyone. We have been to an Emmylou Harris concert and could neither hear nor understand one note or word - a total waste of time and money. In contrast, we went to a Maura O'Connell concert a few years ago where she sang in a large concert hall (University of Illinois, Krannert Center - one of the concert halls there) and she sang - without amplification - and you could hear her all over the hall, that pure beautiful voice. It can be so completely tender, yet simultaneously powerful and strong. I will never in life understand why America (and elsewhere) gives its hard-earned cash to the likes of Britney Spears or Madonna or Mariah Carey, et al when they could be paying Maura O'Connell for the pure and simple pleasure of hearing that voice. It is one of life's gifts. Buy this CD. Buy any and all of her CDs. Enrich her in return for how she enriches music. Her voice is a joy and a blessing to anyone who loves music.

Amazing Simply Amazing !!!.......2006-05-10

This album has to be one of the best albums of all time! Maura O'Connell has one of the most expressive and powerful voices that I have ever heard. She can be sweet and gentle when the need arises or powerful and strong. Her range is truly staggering and she has that unique ability to touch your soul. My favourite tracts are Cast a long Shadow and the Title Track Helpless Heart. I agree with the previous reviewer, you cannot put Maura and Mary Black in the same category - Maura is simply streets ahead!! Buy this album and enhance your life!

CAN'T STOP THE GIRL!!!!.......2004-02-23

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"!!!!

A great voice with Bela Fleck backing her up.......2001-02-13

people, this is one of the best albums you will ever buy, western highway is the definitive road song, trouble in these fields is both and curse and a prayer. awesome songs by a lady with class and a voice that melts hearts and saves souls...maura oconnell is the best thing to come from ireland since guiness stout and she won't give you a hangover. thanks for the songs Maura.

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