Yep, this really is them when they were just a bad pun and Dolores O'Riordan a schoolgirl like a thousand others from Limerick. The difference of course was her voice and the fact that she could pen a killer tune or two (with Noel Hogan). I remember taping this session from the radio and passing it on to my brother who held me in the highest regard when the band went supernova at Suede's expense stateside. In truth the Cranberry Saw Us weren't much better than plenty of other bands at the time but in O'Riordan they had the genuine article. She might be the antithesis of it now but back in 1991, when this was recorded for a 2FM session on Dave Fanning's show, O'Riordan was a shy flower who was the last one you'd expect to become a star. The sessions included future megahit 'Dreams' and this song which was the title track from the band's debut EP. As often turns out fame takes as much as it gives but it is heartening to listen back at the unbridled innocence of the bands early days. Thanks to the excellent Fanning Sessions blog for passing this on (also on the lookout for the Emperor of Ice Cream session from around the same time if anyone out there can help?). KD

The Cranberry Saw Us - Uncertain

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Cranberries
Year: 1991