The Diamond Mountain Sessions Presents is a mixed bag of Irish and non-Irish artists with versions of old and new tunes and songs. Any reservation you might have about such compilations is completely demolished by the first track ‘Sally Anne’ by Natalie Merchant, a truly mesmerising and heart-breaking take on the plight of many women all over the planet. Any remaining concerns are truly buried by Steve Earle’s upful ‘Steve’s Last Ramble’ before Australia’s The Waifs give a lively and wistful performance on ‘Lighthouse’.
Established Irish artists who shine include the robust Roesy with his own mining song ‘Potosi Mine’, Damien Dempsey’s aching ‘Apple Of My Eye’, Mundy’s strident ‘Love And Confusion’ and the irresistibly fluent Sharon Shannon on ‘The Diamond Mountain’. But they should be looking over their shoulders at the talent coming up behind, especially Siobhan Parr who’s ‘Lose My Dress’ is an intriguing example of contemporary indie folk-blues. Pauline Scanlon revitalises the trad-arr tragedy ‘Molly Bán’ and Declan O’Rourke on ‘1-Way Mind’ proves it’s possible for Irish singers to do country-folk without that hideous twang.
In truth, there’s little to argue with on any of the 13 tracks. Enjoy.