Sinead O'Connor
"She pictures the broken glass
She pictures the steam
She pictures a soul
With no leak at the seam."
-peter gabriel
Innocence-lost. Devotion-eternal. An inclination of virtuosity. Within the scope of accomplished vocalists, God's world set its gaze upon such a lass that made our heads spin. The name of the one that caused such a rotation is Sinead O'Connor. It is difficult at best to pen the exact words and/or description of what Sinead did for me personally. But I will try. The feelings, the inspiration, the recognition of the importance of emotional self-sufficiency, but above all, capability.
In and of itself, Sinead's upbringing was raucous to the point of sheer rupture and to this day must endure the backlash of what we could call,"severe left-over emotional baggage." I won't dive too deep into the facts, but understand as someone who was thrust into the limelight brings with her tremendous grieving that can be read on both sleeves. It is like a rose whose petals have died and been swept away, but its thorns prove eternal. A thorn bush.
The Lion and the Cobra
1988. Standing in the shower with my Mom's shower radio on listening to WBCN/104.1. Out of the clear blue airwaves..."I don't know no shame...I feel no pain...I can't see the flame."-Mandinka. O'Connor's first world-wide release, and my first awareness of the possibility that I could sing like that, too. I knew it instantaneously. I felt like I'd been mirrored. This album set the thorn bush aflame. No going back.
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
"Nothing Compares 2 U." The first single. The third best selling single of 1990. Platinum in the U.S. in 6 weeks. Peaked at #1 in its first week on Billboard. Catapulted O'Connor to the top. Grammy winner for Best Alternative Song. Stirred much controversy from its writer, Prince. O.k. at the time Prince was already a living legend and near billionaire. Why was it that he found it necessary to begrudge O'Connor's success? Jealousy seems absurd. Mental instability? Who knows? Anyway, guess how many times she had to sing that song? Countless. There are some other great songs on the album, too. "I am Stretched on Your Grave." Sung a cappella-even better.
Am I Not Your Girl?
WOW. Sinead singing old big band pop songs...her way. The accompaniment-outstanding. Top-notch musicians put together. Definitely a grown up album. O'Connor seems to mature about 10 years with each album.
Universal Mother
Double WOW. More electronics used on this one. Fun. Heavy mixing. Love it. Actually, her last best work. Have to be choosy, however, with the listening selections.
"A lark born only for you
Who sings only to you
My love, my love, my love."
-SOC
Technicalities
Vocal Range: Soprano
G3-F5
Projection: The edge of your soul
Style: Alternative pop+traditional folk
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