News Archive
2000 2001

  • August 14, 2002 - [Handed by Nick Taylor] - Hey everyone, my greatest apologies for not updating the site sooner. Sinead news has diminished lately, and I have been really busy these last three months. Anyway, here's an article from Billboard.com about Sinead's new record:

    Sinead O'Connor will celebrate her Irish roots with the Oct. 8 Vanguard Records release of "Sean-Nos Nua," an album of traditional Irish songs and her first studio album since 2000's "Faith and Courage" (Atlantic). The set was recorded in County Wicklow, Ireland, with a number of Irish and English musicians, and produced by O'Connor with Irish folk revivalist Donal Lunny, dub legend Adrian Sherwood, and Alan Branch. It consists of old-style traditional Irish tunes, such as "Peggy Gordon," "Molly Malone," and "My Lagan Love," recorded with a nod to the present. "This [traditional] style is referred to as "Sean-Nos," says O'Connor of the album title's origin. "The way we have recorded them is to 'sexy' them up with rhythms and sounds so that they can become part of what is new style. Hence the record is called 'Sean-Nos Nua'." Beginning today (Aug. 12), Vanguard's Web site will be streaming one song from the album each week leading up to its release. Set opener "Peggy Gordon" is the first track available. "Faith and Courage" debuted at No. 55 on The Billboard 200 in July 2000. O'Connor's highest chart showing came with 1990's "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" (Ensign/EMI), which hit the top spot on The Billboard 200.

  • June 16, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - Here is Rolling Stone's new article about Sinéad's traditional Irish album:

    Sinead O'Connor will release a collection of traditional Irish songs entitled Sean Nos Nua on October 8th on Vanguard Records. She is recording the album -- her first since 2000's Faith and Courage -- in County Wicklow in her native Ireland. Backing O'Connor are some of Ireland's best contemporary folk musicians, including the Waterboys' Steve Wickham (fiddle), Sharon Shannon (accordion), Donal Lunny (acoustic guitar, bouzouki, bodhran, keyboards), Cora Venus Lunny (classical violin) and Rob O'Gheibheannaigh (whistle and banjo). O'Connor, Donal Lunny and Adrian Sherwood (Nine Inch Nails, Dub Syndicate and the Cure) are producing, and they plan to finish recording in late July. According to O'Connor, the songs they are interpreting have typically been recorded old style (or "Sean Nos" in Irish) by other artists. "The way we have recorded them is to 'sexy' them up with rhythms and sounds so that they can become part of what is new style," she says. "Hence the record is called Sean Nos Nua -- old style but new." Among the selections are "Paddy's Lament," the story of a man who fled the "murderin' cannons" in Ireland only to be drafted to fight in the American Civil War; "Oro Se do Bheatha Bhaile," an Irish language song celebrating Grace O'Malley, the sixteenth century pirate who battled the Spanish and French fleet; "Molly Malone," a Dublin street ballad about the nineteenth century fishmonger of the same name; and "Peggy Gordon," a traditional song of unrequited love. As part of O'Connor's "sexying up" plan, a group of Jamaican musicians will soon join her in the studio to add overdubs to some of the tracks. Centuries ago, Irish prisoners were exiled to Jamaica, and the music they brought with them is said to have influenced the island's native music -- incorporating Jamaican rhythms is O'Connor's way of bringing that influence full-circle. "Normally traditional Irish music has been presented in a sexless way and in such an old fashioned way that -- with the exception of [early Eighties electric-folk supergroup] Moving Hearts -- no one has really made the songs appeal to young artists, as what is traditional in Ireland is thought of as being uncool," O'Connor says. "Myself, Adrian Sherwood and Donal Lunny are hoping to make Irish traditional music appealing to singers, bands and songwriters who are bored with the state of Irish music as it is now."

  • June 6, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - Queen's rock opera single Bohemian Rhapsody has topped a poll to find the UK's favourite hit of all time. The 1975 track, which mixed opera-style harmonies with rock guitar riffs, held off competition from classic Beatles' tracks such as Yesterday and Hey Jude. The top 100 poll of more than 30,000 people was compiled by the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles book. Queen guitarist Brian May, who will receive an award on Wednesday with drummer Roger Taylor to mark the feat, said: "It has become a classic phenomenon and one which no one will ever allow us to forget." Half of the top 10 is occupied by tracks written by the Beatles and John Lennon, with Imagine at number two and Hey Jude at number three. The most recent song to make the top 10 is Robbie Williams' song Angels, followed by The Spice Girls' hit Wannabe. Bohemian Rhapsody was the first song ever to go to number one twice in the same version, the second time in 1991 following the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury. May said: "The song was apparently so far ahead of any rival that even months before the deadline, its position in this new poll was unimpeachable. "Thank you, people, for the memory." May and Taylor are currently putting the final touches to a musical, We Will Rock You, based around the music of Queen. British Hit Singles book editor David Roberts said Queen's achievements are legendary. "No band, apart from The Beatles, has had more top 10 hit singles. "It really was miles ahead of the opposition but it is interesting looking down the list where there is a good mixture of old and new - unlike many polls which seem to have an imbalance of hits from the last two years." Tracks from AtomicKitten, Eminem, Destiny's Child make the top 100 as do more established songs from The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson and Simon and Garfunkel. Elvis Presley and The Spice Girls both have three songs in the top 100. Former Spice Girl Melanie C is recognised for her solo efforts with her track I Turn To You is at number 29 in the chart.

    The Top 30 tracks as voted in the poll:

    1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
    2. Imagine - John Lennon
    3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
    4. Dancing Queen - Abba
    5. Like a Prayer - Madonna
    6. Angels - Robbie Williams
    7. Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles
    8. Wannabe - Spice Girls
    9. Yesterday -The Beatles
    10. Let It Be - The Beatles
    11. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
    12. Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
    13. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
    14. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
    15. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
    16. Losing My Religion - REM
    17. Hotel California - The Eagles
    18. (Everything I do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
    19. A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
    20. With or Without You - U2
    21. Candle in the Wind - Elton John
    22. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
    23. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
    24. Vogue - Madonna
    25. Heartbeat/Tragedy - Steps
    26. Thriller - Michael Jackson
    27. Never Ever - All Saints
    28. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
    29. I Turn To You - Melanie C
    30. Wonderwall - Oasis

    In other news, a double CD called Songbirds is featuring songs from some of the finest female singer songwriters of our time! From Lene Marlin and Sinead O'Connor to Joan Armatrading and Kirsty MacColl, this superb album also features tracks from the following:

    Lisa Loeb
    Eva Cassidy
    Nanci Griffith
    Emmylou Harris
    Beth Orton
    Sarah McLachlan
    and many, many more.

  • May 29, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - Being mistaken for fellow Irish singer Enya frightens Sinéad. Here is the article from ShowbizIreland.com:

    Singing sensation Sinead O'Connor is back to her old self again, follicley speaking, after failing to get recognised. Sinead let her hair grow back over the past few years from her trademark skinhead, but the controversial singer has gone back to her roots, literally. After the shock of being mistaken for another Irish singer, Enya last week in Lillies Bordello, the singer shaved her head first thing Monday morning. Speaking to ShowBizIreland.com this week Sinead explained why she did it. "I've been trying to let it grow but last week someone came up to me in Lillies and asked me was I Enya. I was so shocked by this that the minute I got up on Monday I shaved all my hair off and now look exactly like I did when I came into the pop business first. "She went on, "Which is kind of ironic as I have just finished my latest traditional style album which is called sean nos nua. It is also cool as I have just recorded a song with Moby, who is a fellow skinhead."

    Also, here is an article from Ananova.com about Sinead's upcoming concert appearance in Dublin:

    Sinead O'Connor will make a rare concert appearance at a charity show in Dublin next month. The benefit gig is in aid of Ireland's Special Olympics organisation. It takes place at the Olympia Theatre on June 16. Also taking part will be Sharon Shannon, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Babelfish and Kila. Promoters MCD are also promising "very special guests" at the show, www.mcd.ie reports.

  • May 26, 2002 - [Handed by Gabriel] - Steve Wickham has been playing fiddle on a new Sinead O'Connor album being recorded for the Dublin label, Hummingbird Records (home of Sharon Shannon among others). Sinead sings traditional Irish Songs on the recordings and is accompanied by Steve, Sharon, Donal Lunny, Venus Cora Lunny and others. Sessions were held in County Wicklow, Ireland. The album is being produced by Sinead and Donal Lunny.

  • May 8, 2002 - An anonymous source emailed me with the following European tour information regarding Sinéad. It seems that Sinéad will be a guest at the Special Olympics Benefit on Sunday, June 6. Click here for ticket information.

  • May 5, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - Here is Rolling Stone's new article talking about Sinéad's new releases:

    Although it has been a quiet two years since Sinead O'Connor's Faith and Courage disc, she is about to return, most appropriately, via a trinity of releases. The singer will be heard on new albums from Massive Attack, Moby and Conjure One.

    Massive Attack have recorded four songs with O'Connor and are working on a fifth. "We've done a couple of tracks with Sinead O'Connor which sound really good," the band posts on its Web site. "They're quite a departure for her. Everyone knows how great Sinead is as a singer but she's very versatile as well. She's done two very beautiful songs; one's very political, one more personal. It's been great working with Sinead; she's a very cool person, very sound."

    O'Connor has also recorded vocals for a brand new project from industrial and ambient veteran Rhys Fulber. Fulber ­- who co-founded Frontline Assembly and Delerium with collaborator Bill Leeb ­- is embarking on his first solo project, Conjure One, a disc whose lead single, "Tears From the Moon" features O'Connor as frontwoman. The self-titled Conjure One effort ­- which also features guest vocalists Poe, Israeli vocalist Chemda and Argentinean singer Marie-Claire D'Ubaldo -- is slated for a July release.

    O'Connor also shows up on Moby's new disc, 18, which is due May 14th. Her track, "Harbour," seems lyrically reflective of September 11th, a quietly orchestral number about an emotional person being overwhelmed by the violence around them.

    The politically active singer also used her voice recently to raise $32,000 for her charity, the Aljeff Treatment Centre (which aids youth with depression and addiction), on the Irish version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

  • April 25, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - A new version of the first ever Sinead O'Connor single, ‘Troy,’ is scheduled for release on April 29. This will appear on the Devolution label, and a series of name remixes will also be available on the disc. See this month’s issue of BBM magazine for a highly positive preview.

  • March 21, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - Here is a new update on Sinéad's collaboration with Massive Attack:

    The new album is nearly ready!!!!

    D on Sinead:

    '...they're quite a departure for her. Everyone knows how great Sinead is as a singer but she¹s very versatile as well. She¹s done two very beautiful songs; one¹s very political, one more personal.We'd been talking about working with Sinead since before 'Protection' cameout. We were going to get her to do a piece from Faure's Requiem called 'Libera Me¹. We nearly got it together, then we met up with Tracey Thorn and it never took place. It¹s been great working with Sinead; she¹s a very cool person, very sound. We did a couple of days in London with her last year and then she came to Bristol for two more days in January.'

    The album should be out in the summer and Massive are promising to look for events based shows rather than the usual tour dates. Here's what D says about the live shows to come :

    'We'll finish the album and then take all the computer data on stage with us; the sounds, guitar, bass, keyboards, whatever. It will almost be like re-mixing the tracks live on stage as we play them. It¹s ambitious but it'll be great to take the computer out on stage and mix it in with the live instruments.'

    For more information on Massive Attack, visit: http://www.massiveattack.co.uk

  • March 9, 2002 - [Handed by James Hammonds] - Click here to read about ShowbizIreland.com's 2nd year anniversary party. Sinéad is featured. Click here to read about the Irish Music Awards. Sinead is also featured in that article. Special thanks to James Hammonds for sending these links.

  • February 24, 2002 - "MOBY MAKES BALD DECISION"

    Moby's new album features a guest spot from SINEAD O'CONNOR. The record, given the title '18', is set for release in May. As previously reported on NME.COM, soul diva Angie Stone provides guest vocals on one song. Now, the bald dance star has told MTV news that O'Connor will also appear on the record, with most of the guests being female. He said: "It's a more soulful record than things I've done in the past. Most of the singers on it apart from me are women. It's a very warm, inviting, enveloping record. "Maybe people just want to party and listen to big, bombastic heavy metal songs, which is fine. More power to them. But I can say that my record is not exactly a big, bombastic heavy metal record and certainly not an over-the-top party record." The first single from the album is rumoured to be 'We Are All Made Of Stars', the video for which has just been filmed in LA.

  • February 1, 2002 - 'WIDE WORLD' OF STARS ON NEW CHIEFTANS ALBUM

    THE ROLLING STONES, ELVIS COSTELLO, THE CORRS, STING, VAN MORRISON and SINEAD O'CONNOR are amongst the artists to appear on 'THE WIDE WORLD OVER', a forthcoming album by veteran traditional Irish outfit THE CHIEFTANS. Also joining a somewhat peculiar list of collaborators are Joni Mitchell, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt and Ziggy Marley - who appears on a cover of his father Bob's 'Redemption Song'. The album, set for release to mark the band's 40th anniversary, will be released on March 4 through RCA Victor. it will be The Chieftans' 33rd record. Sinéad will contribute her vocals on 'The Foggy Dew.' There is no word on whether this contribution is an old recording of the song or a new one.

    In other news, Sinéad's collaboration with Massive Attack will surface on the now duo's upcoming fourth album which is out this spring. Sinéad recorded four tracks with them. One is a cover song called, "All Good." The other is written with Sinéad and the boys. No one can confirm if all four tracks will appear on the album. You can read an interview with Massive Attack which includes their thoughts on collaborating with Sinéad at the Bristol Sound website.