VARIOUS ARTISTS: “A Woman’s Heart 2” (Dara Records)

LET’S FACE it, A Woman’s Heart was the Irish music marketing coup of the twentieth century and the fact that it emanated from a small local label brought considerable comfort and succour, and no small portion of glee, to the hearts of many.

Its phenomenal success was probably due to a number of crucial factors – a title track that, despite its sexist sentiment, touched the hearts of many, the novelty of the concept, the impressive sprinkling of well-known names (especially Mary, Sharon and Dolores), quality material and some extraordinary promotional support from RTE. Since at this point sales of half a million are not impossible, a sequel was inevitable, almost compulsory.

But compilations, be they literary or musical, traditionally stir more animated debate for their inclusions/exclusions than for the quality of the actual contents. Following such a tradition one inevitably examines the credits for Volume 2 and asks why no Altan, Maire Breathnach in solo mode, Marian Bradfield, Fiona Joyce? Why three tracks from Mary Black (on the CD version), but only one from Sinéad O’Connor? Why is Mary Coughlan represented by both the best track (‘Invisible To You’) and the weakest in the insubstantial ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, a far inferior track to virtually everything in her impressive catalogue?

But those quibbles apart there is little here that those who snapped up the first volume won’t fall in love with. That is a worthy achievement in itself and incontrovertible proof of the quality-in-depth of Irish talent. (And that’s only the women, and only some of them at that). Just as the prequel ‘discovered’ Eleanor McEvoy, Volume 2 offers the beguiling, fragile talent of Sinéad Lohan on her own song ‘Sailing By’, a performance so captivating one looks in vain for her second contribution.

Of course none of the tracks redefine the boundaries of contemporary Irish music, with the possible exception of Sinéad O’Connor’s soul-baring, tear-stained ‘Three Babies’ or the rampaging Sharon Shannon, but then I wasn’t expecting a female Pet Lamb. The familiarity of most of the artists, and several of the tracks, should ensure accessibility – especially Mary Black’s fine ‘If I Gave My Heart To You’ and ‘Saw You Running’, her sister Frances’ ‘Talk To Me While I’m Listening’ and Sinéad O’Connor’s track and the Mary Coughlan gem.

Sharon Shannon’s two lively exercises ‘Bungee Jumpers’ and ‘Sparky’ (how many fingers does she actually have?) are so overflowing with energy, joy and vitality that they could start a whole new trend in trad aerobics and will quickly have you reaching for your coins, if only to add some personal percussion to her irresistibly fluent playing. Dolores Keane’s unique voice cruises gloriously through two tracks, including the under-rated ‘Solid Ground’, you can test your Irish against Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill’s contribution while Maura O’Connell’s brace, especially ‘Trouble In The Fields’ add body to an already rich confection.

But will it be as big at the box-office, Donie? Well, of course it lacks the novelty of the first one and recent months have seen an avalanche of new albums likely to spar for your credit card’s attentions right through until Christmas. But the success of Volume 1 proved that the mainstream music market in Ireland responds best when offered music that comforts rather than challenges, the familiar rather than the foreign.

Production and performance throughout prove conclusively that Irish artists, songwriters, musicians, producers and record labels all have as much of a handle, if not more, than many of their international counterparts. There’s no longer any need to apologise or make allowances, and neither will I. Start preparing Volume 3!

• Jackie Hayden