Sharon Shannon [Compass]

• Artist: Sharon Shannon
• Rating:
• Release Date: July 01, 1993
• Total Time: 51:19
• Genre: Celtic

Review

The buzz about young accordionist Sharon Shannon was just starting to build when this album was originally issued on the Irish Solid label in 1991. Having worked as a member of the Waterboys and as an accompanist to the legendary singer Christy Moore, she already had a solid reputation among the cognoscenti, but her innovative approach to her instrument -- along with her tremendous energy and prodigious chops -- were creating a groundswell of interest outside of Celtic music circles as well. When Sharon Shannon was issued in Ireland it became the top-selling traditional music recording ever released there. Reissued by Compass with a bonus track in 2001, it sounds as fresh and exciting now as it did then. The program is quite varied, ranging from such traditional Irish fare as "The Munster Hop" and "Queen of the West" to Cajun tunes, Quebecois, reels and even a Portuguese dance number. Guest musicians range from the predictable (bouzouki player Donal Lunny, guitarist Gerry O'Beirne) to the surprising (bassist Adam Clayton of U2), but Shannon's playful, jaw-droppingly virtuosic playing holds everything together. Excellent. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Glentown	Tommy Peoples, Traditional, Michael Gorman	Sharon Shannon	(4:24)
The Blackbird	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(3:59)
Queen of the West	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(4:02)
Retour des Hirondelles & Tune for a Found Harmonium		Sharon Shannon	(3:03)
Miss Thomsons & The Derry Reel	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(3:26)
The Munster Hop	Sharon Shannon, Mike Scott, A. Scott	Sharon Shannon	(2:50)
Tickle Her Leg	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(2:38)
The Marguerita Suite: The Peeking Pup Waltz/Graham Townsends Jig	Phillip King, A. Scott	Sharon Shannon	(5:52)
Coridinio	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(2:46)
Anto's Cajun Cousins	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(2:46)
Cornphiopa Corafinne & Skidoo	Steve Cooney	Sharon Shannon	(3:20)
Marbhna Luimni	Sean Ó Riada	Sharon Shannon	(4:33)
Phil Cunningham	Bobby McFerrin, Phil Cunningham, Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(5:07)
The Woodchoppers & Le Reel des Voyagers	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(3:00)
La Valse D'Hiver [*]	Traditional	Sharon Shannon	(2:43)

Credits

Dónal Lunny (Bouzouki), Dónal Lunny (Bodhran), Sharon Shannon (Fiddle), Sharon Shannon (Accordion), Sharon Shannon (Arranger), Sharon Shannon (Main Performer), Maire Breatnach (Violin), Maire Breatnach (Viola), Noel Bridgeman (Conga), Noel Bridgeman (Drums), Adam Clayton (Bass), Steve Cooney (Bass), Steve Cooney (Guitar), Tom Hayes (Jew's-Harp), Tom Hayes (Triangle), Trevor Hutchinson (Bass), Trevor Hutchinson (Double Bass), Gerry O'Beirne (Guitar), Liam Ó Maonlaí (Piano), Mike Scott (Guitar), Mike Scott (Piano), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Harmonica), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Mandolin), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Organ (Hammond)), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Saxophone), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Electronic Mandolin), Steve Wickham (Fiddle), John Dunford (Guitar), John Dunford (Producer), John Dunford (Mixing), Mary Shannon (Banjo), Ciaran Byrne (Engineer), Ciaran Byrne (Mixing), Mary Custy (Fiddle), Sharon Okeefes (Accordion), Philip King (Harmonica), Philip King (Liner Notes), Phillip King (Harmonica), Phillip King (Liner Notes)