Mary Black

Posted by: Hutton1969 on 03 February 2012

Has anyone listened to Mary Black's new album Stories From the Steeples, her first for several years?  IMHO it's a lovely album but there is no question that her voice has changed in character from previous recordings. There is now more vibrato and less sustain. Not unlike the change in Joan Baez's voice which is now much darker than when she was in her prime.

Posted on: 03 February 2012 by TonyCDX2

I am a big fan of Mary Black's music,i will have to hunt this new one down,thanks for the info.Tony in Toronto Canada

Posted on: 03 February 2012 by floid
Originally Posted by Hutton1969:

Has anyone listened to Mary Black's new album Stories From the Steeples, her first for several years?  IMHO it's a lovely album but there is no question that her voice has changed in character from previous recordings. There is now more vibrato and less sustain. Not unlike the change in Joan Baez's voice which is now much darker than when she was in her prime.

Heard a track from the album on the word magazine free cover mount CD. Now off to Amazon to purchase.

Posted on: 03 February 2012 by Guido Fawkes

OK ... I have always loved Mary Black's music .... didn't know about this album so I'll seek it out. Thanks for the tip. 

Posted on: 03 February 2012 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Better keep your distance from this whale.

 

First line from « Columbus », and I still get chills every time I hear the track.

 

Thanks Hutton for the heads-up on the new album !

 

Jan 

Posted on: 04 February 2012 by tonym

Yes, thanks from me too. A superb singer with some great musicians backing her. 'No Frontiers' (on vinyl) is probably the best recording I own.

Posted on: 04 February 2012 by rich46

good live,     and her sister fransise is worth a listen

Posted on: 05 February 2012 by Officer DBL

I heard Mary Black perform with her son on an Irish TV channel recently and I have to say I was disappointed.  I am a long time fan of her and have all her albums and have seen her live a few times.

 

Her voice has always been pure and clear but on the TV, she sounded far too heavy verging on an overblown contralto. I was concerned that her voice has gone.

 

It will be interesting to hear what she sounds like on the new album, but unfortunately, time does catch up with all of us.

 

Brad

Posted on: 11 February 2012 by tonym

This album's taken up almost permanent residence on my system. Lovely, and although Mary's voice is much different to the Mary Black of old, you can still tell it's her.

 

You won't be disappointed Brad.

Posted on: 12 February 2012 by Mike-B

Thanks for the tip, I nearly missed this one.  

When I toiled for a living, I spent a lot of time at my cmpy Galway factory & R&D HQ so got close to all Irish music both locally live & RTE steam radio & the sometime excellent TV.

Yes its a new Mary voice & I like it.

Another great albulm to add to the collection.

Posted on: 12 February 2012 by Hutton1969

The lyrics of the second track The Night Was Dark & Deep give me goose bumps every time I listen to it.

Posted on: 12 February 2012 by BigH47

It is a shame that she has "lost" some of her voice, it is a good album though.