Customer Reviews

Looking Back

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this CD by chance at my local thrift store but I'm writing to tell you that it is worth every penny Amazon is asking for it. Mary Black has a beautiful voice that enchants and keeps you coming back for more. I actually got tears in my eyes listening her sing "Ellis Island", a song about an immigrant leaving for Amercia and saying goodbye. At the same time, your toe will tap along to songs like "Carolina Rua" and "Soul Sister". Emmylou Harris sings a duet with Mary in the well known "A Woman's Heart". And "Bright Blue Rose" is spiritually uplifting. My very favorite song on this album is "No Frontiers" where Black sings with such feeling; her voice just soars. I highly recommend this album as it has most of Mary Black's best songs up to the date it was released (1995).

I found Mary Black back in the 90's through her very popular album "Babes In The Wood". Since then I have purchased several of her other albums but never found one that quite captured the incredible magic of "Babes"...until now. I listened to this album chasing the sunset westward on a cool fall evening and fell in love with this woman's singing all over again. The song "The Loving Time" really got to me. I need to review her discography further to find if there are more albums that strike in the same range.

What a gorgeous collection of music!!! This collection does sound, and read, like an album... though I've had this CD for 13 years, I just recently realized it is a compilation. Perhaps it is the way the songs are arranged, perhaps it is the strength of Mary's voice, perhaps it is the consistently excellent musicianship that weaves its way through every song... it is really all of that. The only song that seems to be a little out of place is "Carolina Rua" - but I love that song. Favorites? "Ellis Island", "Bright Blue Rose", "No Frontiers" and "Summer Sent You". I absolutely melt every time I hear Mary and Emmylou sing the duet "Only A Woman's Heart"... that is a masterpiece. "Columbus" is a somewhat strange, but pleasant song. The only song I usually skip is "Adam at the Window". For some reason that song is irritating to me. Yes, it is "easy listening" in a lot of ways, but this is soulful, meaningful music. Mary manages to address spiritual concepts in several songs without sounding preachy or religious ("Bright Blue Rose" and "No Frontiers" most obviously), and that is not an insignificant thing. One of my favorite mellow CDs and one of my overall favorites, period.

I first heard Mary Black when I was in college and just fell in love with her singing. She has an amazing voice. Just sitting back and listening to her sing is very relaxing. In addition, I really like the songs she has chosen for this CD. I find the lyrics popping into my head throughout the day. Her songs are easy to sing along with, as well, even if I can't sing like her (but then again, not many can).

This is the perfect music for: listening to while working on boring paperwork (keeps the mind from being so bored).

And the perfect music for: in the car, on a beautiful sunny day, when all is right in your life (at last).

And, yes, this is the perfect music for: when you're feeling sentimental, perhaps a little sad, maybe missing a loved one. Her beautiful voice helps you to feel just a bit less sad, and a lot more comforted. You don't feel quite so alone anymore.

I have other CD's of hers, but I have to admit that this one is my favorite. (although I just bought her most recent one, from 2005, from Amazon a few days ago!!!)

Kathy (Bob's wife)

Great experience all around. The Cd sounds clear and strong, and the item itself showed no scratches or wear. Quick delivery.

I can't play the CD on my computer because of some scratch wear but the story has a happy ending. I used iTunes on another computer (with a less fussy drive) and carried the files to mine. All's well that ends well. The music is lovely which is the whole point.

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.

Not only her singing but the ararrangements of some songs are sensational IMNSHO. Be sure to check out "Columbus" (not what you might think) and "Ellis Island" (also not what you might think).

Mary Black has a beautiful voice and some magnificent songs, but she suffers from albums that have too much filler. This collection solves that problem.

Looking Back contains a collection of fantastic performances that has earned a place on my all-time list. Do yourself a favor and get it.