The story of the Cranberries is one of dogged survival. Debuting with a maiden release that everybody seemed to rate as a portent of great things, the band suffered not only a "difficult" second album but also an absolute stinker of a third one, as the bandmembers strove desperately – too desperately – to live up to their reputation for sensitivity and thoughtfulness, and completely lost sight of their true virtues in the process. Internecine squabbling, health problems, and general disaffection all took further toll, so much so that, as the band prepared to release its fourth album, 1999's Bury the Hatchet, many observers were shocked to learn that the band even existed any longer, let alone was capable of actually making a new record – especially one that was as good as Bury the Hatchet turned out to be. Filmed at the Paris Omnisport de Bercy on December 9, 1999, toward the end of that album's accompanying tour, Beneath the Skin captures the full 84-minute concert performance, with the band ranging and, occasionally, raging through a veritable greatest-hits collection.

Irish brother-sister act The Corrs play their irresistible blend of light pop and traditional Celtic sounds at two different locations. The first is Dublin's remarkable open-air stadium, Lansdowne Road, where the group performed in front of 50,000 adoring fans. The second is North London's Finsbury Park, the site of the 2000 Fleadh (pronounced "Fluh") Festival. Eighteen lives songs and three bonus tracks are included.

Darkly beautiful and hypnotic music that is beyond Celtic and outside of time. ~ Frank Hart