Ireland has no shortage of remarkable women on any front, and it particularly excels in music. A Woman's Heart 2 is the second in a series of three collections of music by some of Ireland's most prominent female artists.

Each of the nine featured on the album are at the top of the field. Sharon Shannon shines on her two instrumental tracks. Mary Black pours out her soulful singing on three selections. Not to be outshone, all of the other women deliver heartfelt performances. Mary Coughlan gives a bluesy feel to "I Can't Make You Love Me," and "Invisible" has an upbeat tempo despite the less than upbeat lyrics. Maura O'Connell provides two excellent songs: "Trouble In The Fields" and the ever-beautiful "Western Highway." Frances Black pleads eloquently on "Talk to Me While I'm Listening," while "Fear is the Enemy" has a bouncy rock sound. "Sailing By" from Sinead Lohan is folk and country mixed wonderfully.

Two other legends of Irish singing also put in stellar pieces. Dolores Keane's "Never Be the Sun" is one of the most beautiful love songs in recent memory and is one of the best tracks on the album. Her spirited rendition of Dougie MacLean's "Solid Ground" is also fantastic. Maighread Ni Dhomnaill, formerly of Skara Brae, provides the only Irish language track on the album. "A Mhaithrin Dhileas" is a story of love versus a dowry.

The low point is Sinead O'Connor's "Three Babies," which is watery-sounding and washed out.

Every woman on the compilation can really sing, with the exception of Shannon who doesn't sing but can certainly play the accordeon! This is not the album to buy if you are looking for something to put on in the background. But if you want an album of talented artists that you will happily listen to over and over again, then this album would be a wonderful choice. And the album helps to support the Arthritis Foundation of Ireland. Great music and a great cause!

- Rambles
written by Jean Emma Price
published 17 July 2004