Customer Reviews

Best Of Mary Black, The Volume 2 (2CD)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an unusual 'best of'. In fact the two discs present two different ways to understand the title. Disc 1 is a traditional 'best of' containing some of the best songs from Mary's albums from 'Babes in the Wood' up until 'Speaking With the Angel'. It also contains two previously unreleased songs Eileen Laverty's 'Wildest Dreams' and Steve Cooney's 'Just a Journey'. Both are good additions to the Black repertoire but despite this, Disc 1 may appeal most to completists; mind you are the recordings remastered here because the tracks from 'Speaking With the Angel' seem clearer, crisper somehow? Happily for Black fans and those seeking an introduction, Disc 2 is a real gem. Called 'Hidden Harvest' it might have been called 'Hidden Treasure' and it is here that we have the other concept of 'best of'. Rather than being a selection of previously released tracks this offers Mary Black at her best, and her most versatile. There is Mary the interpreter of classic contemporary 'folk'(a crystal clear 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?'), Mary the folk/pop singer (Into the Blue), Mary the accomplished jazz/blues singer (a beautiful Billy Holliday's 'Good Morning Heartache'), Mary the excellent interpreter of traditional songs (lovely versions of 'Ae Fond Kiss' and Bruach na Carraige Baine', the latter with with Seamus Begley), Mary the country singer ('Sony' with Emmylou Harris and Dolores Keane), and Mary Black the sublime live performer. And it is these live tracks in particular that make this CD such a gem. It has always puzzled me why she has never released a live album as none of her studio recordings match her live work (much as I love them). All the live tracks are great and the most suitable final track 'Without the Fanfare' transports you into the concert hall, where Mary has finished many a concert with this song. 'Hidden Harvest' may well be Mary Black's best recording to date.

I fell in love with Mary Black's voice the moment I heard it on a tinny rental car radio while driving in Ireland in the summer of 2000. Since then I have bought everything she has recorded and have had the exquisite pleasure of meeting her. It is not right to say that each of her albums is better than previous ones, because they are all magnificent. Her writers and musicians are marvelous and she brings something to a song that is a unique blessing to all who listen. "The Best of Mary Black 1991-2001" is a outstanding collection that will touch your soul at its deepest levels and cause it to soar to heights it has never known. There is no one like her on the contemporary Irish (or American) scene. To anyone who loves Ireland and its music (and to anyone who loves brilliant lyrics, well-played and exquistely sung original music) this album is a must! This one deserve a lot of "fanfare."

After seeing Mary in concert, I of course had to add this to my collection. Her voice is not as clear and pristine as it once was and the Best of CD (this is a 2 CD set) is clearly more contemporary than her early recordings. Some good ones are here though. I really liked the CD of compilations best. Her duets and some never before released songs, including a great one with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Emmy Lou Harris and Maura O'Connell (2 different songs there) If you are not familiar with Mary's work I would not suggest you get this as your introduction piece but it is a fine addition to a vast career of great songs with great musicians. She sang alot of these songs recently here in my hometown and I was so excited that she came here, I would have bought anything.

I have owned this "best of" collection for a couple of years now, and never grow weary of listening to both discs. As previous reviewers have noted, the "Hidden Harvest" CD is truly outstanding and worth the price of admission on its own. For those looking for a great introduction to Mary Black's artistry and wonderful voice, this is the ticket. Highest recommendation.

As a "Best Of" album this is, overall, a worthy effort.

So why only three stars, you ask?

I answer: "Song for Ireland"

My first experience with Mary Black was "Song for Ireland" on the Putyamo "Women of the World Celtic" album and I was hooked -it remains one of my favorite songs of all time.

And it was HORRIFICALLY OVERDONE on this album. I tried, I really tried, but couldn't even force myself the entire way through it.

A word of advice: If you ever wake up and find yourself a famous and widely-loved recording artist, try to bear in mind that your most-loved songs are most-loved because of the way you've recorded them.....and don't change them for a "Best Of" album - it's just counter-intuitive.

As a long-time fan of Mary Black I was looking forward to this volume. However, the "Best of" disk was somewhat of a dissapointment. The second disk in the package, "Hidden Harvest," is worth the price of admission and then some. The duets are a treat, the selections wonderful, and if you're a fan, you won't want to miss it.

I've been in love with this lady's voice and delivery since I first heard her version of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" some years back. I'm currently on a kick of listening to only my Mary Black collection.

This particular CD is a steal as a double CD. One CD of her classic hits, some performed live, some with other performers and a new CD. This CD has the aforementioned "Who Knows Where The Time Goes"

A great introduction to Mary Black!

I have all of Mary Blacks music available on compact disc. This album was my latest choice and it was indeed not the best of Mary Black in my opinion. Her rendition of "Who knows where the time goes" lacked the hauntingness of the original Judy Collins version.I didn't care much for her choice of songs for a "best of" album.I have put it back on my bookshelf. This album has none of the beauty of "Circus". I regret buying it and will be more cautious in the future.

While transfering this CD to iPod itune named track 3 on disk 2
INTO THE BLUE but box has SAW YOU RUNNING as does AMAZON.COM and other music store on internet.
Maybe I got a import copy with different track.