sandi

looks like sinead o'connor and ma’at-ka’ra hatshepsut aren't the only women breaking barriers and showing strength.

word.

futuresoul

Sandi Soler does it again with a top-notch review for Sinead O'Connor's new roots/reggae album. Check it out ...

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Sinèad O’Connor – ‘Throw Down Your Arms’ (sineadoconnormusic.com)
Enter the mind and works of Sinèad O’Connor’s latest release ‘Throw Down Your Arms.’ This CD is packed with heartfelt, uncompromising soulful sounds like the artist herself. For many years her mission has been tested and tried yet she sticks to her convictions and spiritual growth. Many of us may remember her accapella performance on SNL back in October 3, 1992 where she performed Marley’s rendition of “War” and later ripped in half a photo of Pope John Paul II to protest his lack of response of the countless child incest/molestation allegations within the Church. As she digs deeper and finding solace, O’Connor continued to record-- including the 2002, ‘Sean-Nós Nua,’ traditional Irish tunes.

This time around O’Connor armed with testaments of traditional roots/chants with the help of top session master/producers Sly & Robbie. ‘Throw Down Your Arms’ was recorded in Jamaica at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio. The production is crisp, clean and clear providing strictly riddim and roots. Her voice echoes and resonate raw purity and compelling emotions. The song selections originally recorded by Burning Spears, Israel Vibration, Peter Tosh, Lee Scratch Perry, The Absyssians and Bob Marley are covered by O’Connor without mimicking the artists. Normally these songs are traditionally performed by male performers of the Rastafarian faith. Female performers in Jamaica are forbidden to sing warrior-type songs/chants but only can sing love songs. O’Connor challenged herself but proclaim her passion for her faith and the compositions.

This reminded me of Ma’at-ka’Ra Hatshepsut, Female Pharaoh of Egypt from the 18th Dynasty. She ruled for 20 years before disappearing from history. In ancient Egypt women were considered Queens rather than Pharaohs. For Hatshepsut to receive respect from the military she had to dress like the Pharaoh in order to lead them to battle. Both women represent breaking barriers and showing strength.

From the 12 song selections, ‘Throw Down Your Arms’ opens up with 4 Burning Spears standards followed by Lee Perry’s “Vampire” and “Curly Locks,” which speaks of a sweet/soft-spoken whisper one of velvet gloves hidden behind an iron fist in a rock steady riddim. In The Absyssians’ “Y Mas Gan” and Israel Vibration’s “Prophet Has Arise” witness a condition of a human soul.

I was impressed with her delivery in Tosh’s “Downpressor Man” and wished she could have done more of Tosh’s work since she kind of matches the same defiant and independent spirit. In the self-titled cut (another Burning Spears standard), she pleads with followers like a mother to her children to throw down their arms (weapons) and follow her to the promised land of Zion – there might be a light at the end of the mental tunnel.

Another stand out is an acoustic verse “Untold Stories” folk-like temperament of understanding a complicated world as it keeps turning. Once again O’Connor tackles “War” but with a full fledge band. Further from the original, her voice displays appreciation and respect to the composers.

Clearly O’Connor created a path to broaden a cultural tapestry where an artist such as herself liberates the same faith and personal truths no matter what gender or genre. Expect to see her US tour in November, including two nights at NYC’s Webster Hall. A chance of a lifetime to experience her live with great interest.


Reviewed by Giant Step contributor Sandi Soler (SandiSoler)
October 2005
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