“Releasing
her first album of new
material in six years, legendary award-
winning Irish musician Mary Black has
been a dominant presence in Irish music
both in Ireland and overseas for over a
quarter of a century — and it is easy to
see why as you listen to the marvellous Stories From The Steeples...”
A SHINING STAR IN IRISH MUSIC CIRCLES, the acclaimed Mary Black has eleven
platinum-selling albums to her credit that have spawned countless international
hits.
Mary has shared stages, television shows and recording studios with some of
the most revered performers of her time and is, understandably, widely regarded
as one of the most important vocalists of her generation.
“Mary Black...
A shining Star... Stories
From The Steeples is well-crafted around
stunning tracks and
is a joy to listen to” — Maggie Woods
Building
on her reputation as playing a pivotal role in bringing both traditional and
modern Irish music to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience,
Mary has excelled herself with the highly-anticipated new studio album Stories
From The Steeples.
With reflections of Mary's strong historical commitment to original material
by home-grown Irish songwriters, Stories From The Steeples is well-crafted
around stunning tracks such as the folk ballad Marguerite And The Gambler
and is a joy to listen to.
The gorgeous Steady Breathing has the feel of a lullaby and the amazing
Walking With My Love, where Mary's rich, beautiful tones meld delightfully
with the gravelly voice of Finbar Furey, is a terrific track that is jaunty
and uplifting.
Three songs are featured from up-and-coming young songwriter Danny O'Reilly,
as well as interpretations of songs by Eric Bogle — the anti-war All
The Fine Young Men — and Ry Cavanaugh's Lighthouse Light, performed
finely with wonderful harmonies by Mary with her long-time friend Janis Ian.
The very poignant All The Fine Young Men shows the futility of war; the
promises made and broken and the loss of young lives. Mary sings with great
control, yet her voice oozes empathy. This song is a reminder that, lest we
forget, we owe a great debt to those who lost their lives fighting for their
country.
Mary has previously performed with Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter
and Van Morrison and her new album also includes three collaborations with new
artistes.
Stories From The Steeples benefits from the gutsy Mountains To The
Sea and Mary was "thrilled to get to sing alongside one of my favourite
singers, Imelda May".
Of her collaboration with Finbar on Walking With My Love she says it's
"a song that always makes me smile" and it was donated to a special EP for the
Alzheimer Café initiative.
The album's collection of emotive songs is pleasing. In an industry famed for
its fickleness and its insatiable need for fresh novelty, Mary's enduring success
is testament to her great talent and her love of singing. It is a tribute to
her gift that her work truly does transcend generations as well as national
and musical boundaries.
The album is a collection of notable tracks. The lovely melodies of One True
Place linger on; and who could ever forget the cute 'extra' of Fifi The
Flea! Mary gives of her best and her best is more than good enough.
Mary Black's superb new album Stories From The Steeples is released on
Blix Street Records on 9 January 2012.
Tracklisting — 1 Marguerite And The Gambler | 2 The Night
Was Dark And Deep | 3 Mountains To The Sea (with Imelda May) | 4
Faith In Fate | 5 Steady Breathing | 6 Walking With My Love
(with Finbar Furey) | 7 All The Fine Young Men | 8 The Night Is On
Our Side | 9 Lighthouse Light (with Janis Ian) | 10 Wizard Of
Oz |11 One True Place.
Bonus Black: Fifi The Flea.
"Mary Black… A shining Star… Stories From The Steeples is well-crafted
around stunning tracks and is a joy to listen to" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
“Releasing
her first album of new