Sinead O’Connor “The Lion and the Cobra”

Sinead O’Connor “The Lion and the Cobra” released on this date, November 4th, 1987. My friend Susie first played this for me in late ‘87 or early ‘88 and I was blown away from the very first ethereal notes of “Jackie” and THAT VOICE. O’Connor has, of course, become controversial in subsequent years but this debut was awareness-shifting. Allmusic’s Stephen Erlewine writes about the album: an eerie, expansive sound heavy on atmosphere and tortured passion.

The only real danceable track, “Mandinka,” became a hit in the UK, peaking at #17 (and #16 in Ireland). It’s a great song, but I prefer the more mystical, soaring tracks like “Jerusalem,” “Troy” and my favorite “Just Like U Said It Would B,” which I would sing in the car (alone, thankfully) trying to hit all of her impossible goosebump-producing notes and lyrical inflections. I’m actually trying to do it again, right now as I write this, managing just as well as I did in the 80′s.