In no particular order.....
Kate Bush - Hounds Of Love
I loved 'Running Up That Hill' the first time I heard it back in 1985, and the rest of the album is pretty darn amazing too. 'Hounds Of Love' and 'Hello Earth' are firm favourites as well.
Florence & The Machine - Lungs
I bought this following a rave review in Q Magazine, in Heathrow airport, and I'm so glad I did. Love it, love it, love it!
Afro Celt Sound System - Volume 3: Further In Time
I don't actually remember how I got into the Afro Celts, but it may have been the collaboration with Sinéad that did it. Anyway, I'm now a big fan, and will be looking forward to Iarla's new album.
Christy Moore - Live At The Point
My first Christy Moore album, and one of my all-time faves. I've never seen him live, but he's on my list! On a good night, I'd say he'll be hard to beat.
Sarah McLachlan - Mirrorball
What a voice.... I was lucky enough to catch her live in Dublin at some stage, and she played lots of stuff I loved, and then she played 'The Silence', totally unexpected. One heck of a night in the old Point Depot!
Bell X1 - Flock
The only time I've seen these guys live so far is opening for U2 in Croke Park. Which is not a bad thing! But for ages before that I'd heard they had the reputation for being phenomenal live, and I'd well believe it. Their albums are gems.
Clannad - Legend
The music that started the whole Irish thing for me. I watched 'Robin Of Sherwood' on German telly in 1983-84. Then later on I got hooked on Enya as well (found out she was either sister or niece to all the members of Clannad). Started looking into what this Gaelic language was, because I wanted to know what they were singing about. Then I got into U2. Then I got into Irish history, more cultural stuff, and then I went there for a year as an au-pair, and well.... the rest is history....
Tina Dickow - Welcome Back Colour
I saw her for the first time quite unexpectedly, playing support to Northern-Irish singer Cara Dillon in Vicar Street in 2006, which was an awesome night. Recently I saw her in Tivoli and the gig was fantastic - concert report was posted here at the time.
Thea Gilmore - Liejacker
I got turned onto this great singer through the compilation album 'Where's Neil When You Need Him', where all the music had been inspired by stuff written by Neil Gaiman. Thea had chosen Shadow for her subject and the results were terrific. So is the rest of this album.
Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew
Her voice is amazing, and yet some of these songs feel like she's singing them into my ear (as does Bono on 'Your Blue Room').
Linkin Park - Reanimation
I'd heard parts of 'Hybrid Theory' through my brother and I'd kinda liked it, but the video for 'Points Of Authority' tuned me into this album, which is somewhat better than 'Hybrid Theory', if you ask me. Favourite track has to be 'My December'.
Jack L - Songs From The Little Universe
Oh what an unforgettable night in the Olympia Theatre! Jack Lukeman, showman extraordinaire! And you could buy this disc of what you'd just heard, recorded in one day, the discs decorated and signed by Jack himself. Only sold at these shows, it remains a fave record of mine, and was such a nice surprise.
Madonna - Ray Of Light
She has yet to better this. Nuff said.
Sinéad O'Connor - Collaborations
A collection of all sorts of duets and collaborations done over the years - even 'Heroine' is here. As is the track she recorded with the Afro Celts. I listen to this a good deal more than I do her own albums (although I still have a very soft spot for 'Universal Mother').
Paul Oakenfold - Bunkka
Of course, this starts with a U2 connection - the Perfecto remixes of songs like 'Even Better Than The Real Thing', 'Mysterious Ways', 'Beautiful Day' and 'Lemon' - Perfecto being comprised of Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne. This album is friggin' awesome.
*This is not counting any albums by U2, Tori Amos, Dave Matthews Band or Bruce Springsteen. Or affiliates. Because they'd fill up the list all by themselves pretty quickly.
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