Customer Reviews

Collected

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It was while driving on Highway 83, heading off to work, that I first came into contact with the voice of Mary Black. There I was driving along, humming, meandering among my thoughts whle traveling the blacktop when over the radio poured out a voice smooth as water with a depth and beautiful tonality that grabbed at my heart from the first note. Her "Song of Ireland" which is featured on this C.D. is not only my favorite song of hers but my favorite song of all. The words, the music, the melody line, and finally her voice combine to create not just a song but an experience. I was transported and frozen deep in listening while driving in the early morning traffic. Even after the last note dissapeared and I had scrambled to jot down the name of this amazing singer as the D.J. announced it, her song, her voice, stayed with me making my day that much brighter, more perfect, certianly more enjoyable. Mary Black's voice is an experince no true music lover should be without and I highly recommend this C.D. END

This collection draws from some of Mary's strongest work in the earlier portion of her career. Achingly pure is how I describe her voice. The album begins with her signature song, "Song for Ireland," which was re-recordered for this release. The song will grow on you if it doesn't captivate you immediately. It is followed by one of the few songs in Gaelic about Bonnie Prince Charlie. It has blown me away for years and continues to do so. For a change of pace, next comes a song by the Scottish balladeer, Archie Fisher, "Men of Worth." Mary's arrangement captures all the rhythmic and instrumental power that the song's message demands.

The album's blend of traditional and contemporary themes is weighted toward the traditional, but the range of settings is very broad, so one doesn't tire of this collection. In "She Moved Through the Fair," originally a poem by James Stephens, the words and the arrangement are totally unlike anything I've ever heard. It shows, I believe, her willingness to stretch and create something truly unique. If you like a strong female voice both literally and figuratively, you must have this album.

I own most of Mary Black's CD's, but this one is my favorite. In fact, I believe it may be my favorite CD by a female performer. Ms. Black's voice is crystal clear and haunting. When she sings "Song for Ireland," I can picture the cliffs and ocean in my mind. In my opinion, this CD has the best of Ms. Black's traditional Irish music.

I love Mary Black's voice and this is her finest collection of music. Her renditions of traditional songs "Mo Ghile Mear", "She Moves Through the Fair", and "Fair Thee Well My Own True Love" are inspired . Her signature song, "Song for Ireland" is powerful and the anti-war song "My Youngest Son Came Home Today" is a work of art.

Some might say that "No Frontiers" is her finest album/CD but I prefer this because of the more traditional flavor. I just saw Mary in concert and she sang a few of the songs from this album but many more from "No Frontiers". So maybe I'm alone in my preference. Either way,if she comes through your town, don't miss her. Mary Black has a pure, powerful, and incredible voice.

I had this album on Cassette - owned several different copies over the years, all of them worn beyond repair. Although I owned many other recordings by Ms. Black, Collected was my first, and remains my favorite. I was elated several years back to find this had been reissued on CD. The recordings are clear and pure, and the digital format has really made them clearer and purer. My one disappointment on the CD was that, rather than including "Anachie Gordon" from the original lineup of the album, Mary has instead included "Song For Ireland" which is a wonderful song - don't get me wrong! But I miss Anachie.
A few other favorites - Ms. Black's version of "Mo Ghile Mar" is, hands down, the definitive one. Her voice strikes the perfect emotive notes on this.
"On Both Sides the Tweed" remains one of the most beautiful and moving songs of peace ever recorded. Thanks to Dick Gaugan for writing it, but Mary Black's version is the one that gives me chills.
Even with the aforementioned substitution, this is quite simply one of the best recordings ever made, in any genre. The voice of Mary Black is a force to be reckoned with.

How did I go through so much of my life without discovering Mary Black? Yet there I was, listening to a channel I had assembled on the Pandora music site when I was mesmerized by her version of "Both Sides of the Tweed." I immediately needed to have this song.

As I listen to the pieces in this collection, I'm transported into a far away pub, where the chit-chat is suddenly brought to a halt while a guitar gently plays and the the angelic voice of Mary Black takes over. It's truly transporting music that inspires. I'm so glad that I discovered it.

As a tenor who has sung in some fairly powerful choirs over the past 30 years, I can only say that I'm just in love with this woman's voice and music. I listen to her albums all the time - I give them to my friends. It's just beautiful, ravishing music and I'm a huge fan. Mary Black has a wonderfully expressive style. She can really shape a song. Check it out. She's extremely under-appreciated here in the States. I wish she'd do a tour and bring it out West, where I live. Probably won't happen..so I'll just have to buy the albums.

I wish Amazon would quit asking me to write reviews. I'm woefully inept at doing so.I really like it, it's okay, and I hate it - those three pretty much comprise my reviewing ability. I also believe taste in music/books/whatever is entirely subjective. One person's marvel is another person's misery. I do, however, think Mary Black has one of the most gorgeous voices I've ever heard. I'm sure I don't have one album (oops - CD) by her I don't thoroughly enjoy. That's it. Told you I was no good at this.