Keane, Michael

The original idea was for Art Garfunkel to record an album of songs written by Jimmy Webb. But when the leadoff single, "Crying in My Sleep," failed to make the charts, Columbia Records withdrew the album and induced Garfunkel to put together a cover of Sam Cooke's "(What A) Wonderful World" with Paul Simon and James Taylor harmonizing. The single and a revised version of the album then made the Top 40.

Excellent addition to any celtic-folk music collection.
7 was the first Chieftains album released in the States by Columbia, though the group had been playing together and recording in some form since the early '60s. (Actually, 7 was first released in Ireland on the Claddagh label, and issued in America the subsequent year.)

Harvey's fifth and final album for Arista - another win for the funk-soul-fusion MVP! Given that Harvey worked on some of the best fusion sessions of the 70s, it's more than safe to give him "most valuable player" award - because without his drums, many a record would have faltered! Here, though, Mason's much more in his all-out soul mode - singing, playing, and producing in a smooth blend of jazz and modern soul, still with some funky grit in the mix. It not only benefits greatly from his years as one of the great studio players, but even more so for his triple threat talent as a writer, producer and performer.