This Irish artist is a chart-topping star in her own country, for obvious reasons known to anyone who's listened to her incredibly smooth, rich vocals, and she's now gaining an international reputation in the acoustic music community. Her 1988 U.S. debut release, produced by Bela Fleck, features Nanci Griffith and Jonathan Edwards on background vocals. Includes an acappella, multi-tracked version of her self-harmonies on The Water Is Wide, plus others perfectly selected to complement her Irish inflections, such as The Isle of Malachy, Leaving Neidin. Recommended!

O'connell,Maura