ALBUM & VIDEO REVIEW: The Long Black Veil

RCA, 1995 | 09026-62702-2 (album)
RCA, 1995 | 68192-3 (video)

By Sarah Adams

The Chieftains had a stellar lineup on their 1995 release which included Van Morrison, Marianne Faithful, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Rolling Stones, Ry Cooder, Tom Jones and Sinead O"Connor. This is one of the Chieftains better releases and a change from their past albums where vocals were not as common. The album has emotion, depth and character. My favorite tracks were "Mo Ghile Mear" with Sting, "Dunmore Lassies" with Ry Cooder, and Ferny Hill written by Sean Keane and Matt Molloy. I particularly liked how the Chieftains and Ry Cooder explored the depth and structure of "Dunmore Lassies" because the song is normally played for dancing. The performances of Mark Knopler was strong, Tom Jones impressed me and Sinead O'Connor was amazing. I feel this album is one of the best the Chieftains have ever done with their last releases not far behind. I must also note this album was nominated for two Grammies: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Pop Vocal Collaboration. They won a Grammy for "Have I Told You Lately I Love You" with Van Morrison. In addition, besides winning a grammy for best pop collaboration, the album has also garnered to two gold records.

The video is an interesting journey in how the album was made with sound clips interspersed with scenes from the recording sessions and background music for the interviews with the members of the Chieftains, Sting, Ry Cooder, Marianne Faithful and Mark Knopfler. Ahmet and Dweezil Zappa also make appearance on the video with Tom Jones when the song "Tennessee Waltz/Tennessee Mazurka" was recorded at Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, the home of Frank Zappa. It was interesting to hear comments on the group and thier music from each of the members of the Chieftains and how they see the future and the changes they have seen. I enjoyed the video. The funniest moment came at the end after the credits when the intereviewer asked Derek if he could change anything in the last 31 years what it would be? Derek replied "I could always do with better food".