Sinéad O'Connor With Friends And Admirers

Introduction

We lost Sinéad O'Connor last week. She was ten years younger than me and she was an amazing artist. We have one Vocal Top Story tribute to remember her by here from Rachel Robbins:

There is more on her website here

Four months ago a duet between her and Shane McGowan inspired this poem for people who had lost loved ones. She was the inspiration but I never thought she would be the subject.

Sinéad provided an almost angelic voice to accompany and enhance the work of friends, and these are just a few examples for you to enjoy.

"Haunted" with Shane MacGowan

If you have read my eponymous poem you may already know this beautiful song. I don't really know what else to say, it is close to perfection.

"Blood of Eden" with Peter Gabriel from "Us"

"Us" is a beautiful album with many great songs, but this is incredibly emotional and heartwarming. As always Sinéad looks beautiful and is a perfect foil for Peter's voice in the song. I love this song.

"All Kinds Of Everything" with Terry Hall

We lost Terry Hall in January this year and now we have lost Sinéad, but this is a beautiful cover of the Eurovision Song Contest winner for Ireland by Dana. below is my Terry Hall remembrance:

"Visions of You" with Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart from "Rising Above Bedlam"

I love Jah Wobble's mystical pieces, and while his voice is always excellent in his songs, even with his accent, Sinéad really does lift this piece towards the heavens.

"Don't Give Up" with Peter Gabriel in Chile 1990

On the album version, I believe the female part was sung by Kate Bush, but Sinéad's voice is ethereally beautiful in this live take. This is one of many versions around the world where she sang this with Peter. She always stood up for those unable to defend themselves, an incredibly brave woman who would never be silent.

"Have I Told You Lately?" with Van Morrison and The Chieftains on Letterman

I love this song and I like Van Morrison (I have a lot of his albums and have written reviews of a few) but I am afraid while the Van Morrison performance is Ok, Sinéad really knocks him out with here verses in the song.

"Kingdom of Rain" with The The from "Mind Bomb"

Sinéad’s first recorded duet was with The The’s Matt Johnson for the band’s third album Mind Bomb. This is more aggressive than the other pieces I have shared in this playlist but is still a great song.

"Help Me Make It Through The Night" with Kris Kristofferson

A live take from RTE in 2010, this is a beautiful simple song and Sinéad's voice adds a wonderful warmth to the performance.

"Don't Give Up" with Willie Nelson

This was a song I was unaware of, Willie's take on the Peter Gabriel song, and when Sinéad's voice comes in it improves what is already a great take on the original. Looking through her collaborations I have found some amazing eye-opening performances.

"Special Cases" with Massive Attack

After working with Tracey Thorn and Elizabeth Fraser, Massive Attack turned to Sinéad O’Connor for their 2003 album, 100th Window. She sings on three songs, including “Special Cases”.

Like the song itself, Sinéad keeps things at a simmer, but you can feel the rage and contempt in her voice when she seethes “Take a look around the world / You see such bad things happening / There are many good men / Ask yourself, is he one of them?”

"Silent Night" from Malcolm McLaren's "Ghosts of Oxford Street"

Though this is not strictly a duet, it was done for Malcolm McLaren's film and is beautiful in every way you can think of. It is a perfect way to close this playlist.

Sinéad Bernadette O'Connor we miss you but will never forget you.