Best of Sharon Shannon: Spellbound

From the Label
Accordionist/fiddler Sharon Shannon has been described as "the Ry Cooder of Irish accordion music". She’s at home in a variety of styles, excels at all of them, and makes music that’s joyous and moving. Spellbound traces the first decade of an unorthodox and adventurous career with highlights from Shannon’s 1991 debut and her subsequent collaborations with reggae producer Dennis Bovell, as well as five tracks recorded especially for the album.

Tracks:

Blackbird
Bonnie Mulligan
The 3 Headed Monster
The Mighty Sparrow (Live)
Kids
Cavan Potholes
Tickle Her Leg
The Bungee Jumpers
Mouth Of The Tobique
Sandy River Belle
The Bag Of Cats
The Magic Foot
A Song Of The Rosy Cross
Each Little Thing
Sparky
The Woodchoppers (Live)
Maguire & Paterson
The Munster Hop
Reel Beatrice
The Marguerita Suite
Spellbound

Amazon.com

Mama's got a squeezebox, and she definitely knows how to play it. For a decade, Ireland's Sharon Shannon has been nibbling at the edges of folk, taking a lot of chances, and making some glorious music. This summary of her work shows just how far she's gone--teaming her playing with reggae producer Dennis Bovell was just one daring move--and how good she is, both on the accordion and the fiddle. Add in a bit of unreleased material (including some singing from former Waterboy Mike Scott) and you've got an excellent representation of her solo work to date. If this is what she's achieved in her first 10 years, the possibilities for the future are staggering. Worldly, wise, and completely wonderful. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

If you can only own one Sharon Shannon CD..........2005-09-20

Then this is the one you should have! This compilation of Sharon Shannon's work is the most complete, although its become somewhat dated since the release of her last two CDs. The disc includes many of her best: "Mouth of the Tobique", "Blackbird", "Bag of Cats" and many other enjoyable but perhaps not well known pieces like "Song of the Rosy Cross". This CD would be an excellent introduction to her music, especially the more traditional tunes. The only quality this CD lacks is Shannon's more recent practice of teaming up for "seshuns" with other world music artists, some famous in the U.S. and some less so.

If purchased along with one of her more recent works, (I'd recommend The Diamond Mountain Sessions) you would have a fairly complete idea of the kind of musician Shannon is and how she loves to collaborate with other artists.

This is a "must own" however for any Sharon Shannon fan. Enjoy!

Great Irish and Roots Music, Great Recording.......2001-04-08

This compilation of Sharon Shannon's accordian based music is simply wonderful. It is primarily Irish sounding music, but with a brew of American, Swedish, French Canadian, Scottish, and other ethnic tunes thrown in. The accompanying musicians are top notch and the meldodic sound of accordian and fiddles is a treat. This is a long, harmonic, melodic, highly rhythmic, and well played CD, and I haven't tired of it after probably 10 listenings in the last 2 months. (My wife may be tired of hearing it--she just politiely closed the door as I listen to this lively music once again..) If you like Irish and other ethnic tunes played musically, it's hard to imagine that this wouldn't become one of your favorites.

too much of a good thing?.......2000-09-06

Owning this album is like having a pound of nutmeg in the cabinet; it's nice enough, but you don't use it all at once. It makes a good mix-in, though. (I was disappointed that it didn't have "Coridinio", which I still think is her best.)

If you can't go to Clare, you can imagine you are there.......1999-12-22

I have been to County Clare, and Shannon's music is pure there. I don't think you will find a fresher breath of Irish air anywhere on a CD. And as they say in Ireland, if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes. Sharon Shannon like the Irish weather blows alternately gentle and fierce. A great album.

Great music! Great variety! Great price!.......1999-11-18

This is the favorite cd for everyone in our family (ages 9, 12, and 40-something parents). Sharon is accompanied by a variety of superb musicians on tunes from her previously released cd's. She's kinda like the Ry Cooder of Irish accordion music: she's at home in a variety of styles, excels at all of them, and makes music that's joyous and moving. She and her musical companions will definitely have you tapping your feet, if not dancing across the floor. If you like traditional Irish music or Irish music with an electric update, you'll like this. You may not realize how good an accordion can sound, til you've heard Sharon's dancing fingers. This cd will be right at home on your shelf with the Bothy Band, Altan, Solas, and Donal Lunny's Coolfin.