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.