The Holy Ground

Mary Black

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 1994)
• Original Release Date: April 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gift Horse
• ASIN: B000000LX3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,874 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #35 in	Music > Indie Music > World Music > Europe > Celtic
  #37 in	Music > Indie Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles
  #38 in	Music > Folk > Traditional British & Celtic Folk > Celtic Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Holy Ground is Mary Black's first completely successful attempt to blend the pop and traditional sides of her musical personality. Even though the music itself contains few overt Celtic references--the only traditional instruments used are the occasional fiddle or tin whistle--Black's supple soprano is so unmistakably Irish that she could sing in front of a kazoo orchestra and you would know she was from Dublin. Black is not a songwriter, but she has a gift for choosing the perfect song to match her voice, including some from contemporary folk music's strongest songwriters like John Gorka, Gerry O'Beirne, and Jesse Winchester. Also included are a handful of songs from Noel Brazil, a songwriter Black has turned to time and again, and a lovely version of Sandy Denny's "One Way Donkey Ride." Irish music purists may dismiss the music of Mary Black as modern pop music, but her magnificent voice and soulful delivery are deeply rooted in the Celtic tradition, and her renditions of traditional songs such as the title track rank among the finest modern performances of these ancient melodies. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mary Black Essential, January 30, 2003

By	bethtexas (United States) - See all my reviews

This is among the albums that Mary Black fans will point to as "essential."

To be honest, I didn't really fall in love with it on my first listen. I could tell it was a GOOD album, but at first, I wasn't sure it was a GREAT album. Her voice was strong and clear, but there was nothing very unusual about it. It was just like your basic good voice. Also, the songs were very pretty, but they kind of came across as ordinary ballads - nothing jumped out at me.

With repeated listenings though, I gradually "got it". The power of this album is a subtle one, but once you find its beauty, you'll never again understand why you didn't hear it on the first listen.

Mary Black sings with a pure, honest spirit that creates the most subtle glow around each Irish folk ballad. She is baring her soul with each note, but she doesn't do it with raw power - she does it with a tender heart and an honest lilt. The aura around her singing is unmistakable once you begin to hear it.

The songs too became more enchanting to me with each listen. ONE WAY DONKEY RIDE is a genuinely sympathetic ballad, and Mary Black's rendition is particularly heartfelt. Some of the love stories told on the album are warm with innocence, and biting with pain. And I've come to really love the song PAPER FRIENDS too, just because its simple message about knowing who your real friends are and aren't is so welcoming.

HOLY GROUND is definitely quintessential Mary Black!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, August 28, 1998

By A Customer

I have all of Mary's CDs and find this one to be the one I listen to the most. The song selection on this album couldn't be better and Mary's marvelous voice brings a deep meaning to each one. As other reviewers have observed, the lead track and the closing track have a haunting dissimiarity. I love everything Mary has recorded but this is the very best in my opinion.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mary's best albums to date!, June 13, 1998

By	Joe L. Benson (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mary Black has delivered a breathtaking CD for 1993. This CD has a more accuistic feel to it, a good follow up to Babes In The Woods. Mary chooses songs by Sandy Denny, John Gorka, Noel Brazil and Thom Moore just to name a few. I feel her song selection on this album is better then her previous efforts and with By The Time It Gets Dark can be counted as her best two albums. Mary's opening track is Noel Brazils Summer Sent You, a happy love song, she closes with a chilling song about a marriage gone bad in Poison Words. The line that sums it up is "I remember when we were sweethhears I was safe with you, you were my protector. Those days are oer, now I need someone, someone to keep me safe from you... Mary also includes great versions of Sandy Denny's One Way Donkey Ride, and John Gorkas Treasure Island. There are two songs called the Holy Ground, one is traditional and my other favorites are Flesh and Blood and Dockland, two upbeat number. For the best in singers who choose great songs you can always count on Mary Black and Maura O'Connell. Run out and buy this! Joe Benson