Customer Reviews

Without the Fanfare

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

 

 

Anything that Mary Black records is a pleasure for the listener. However, she has done better recordings than this one. There is a certain lack of energy that makes one tire half way into the cd. It also doesn't have as much of the Irish overtones that have marked her other recordings, and which I have found exceptionally enjoyable.

I discovered Mary Black last summer when I downloaded Going Gone. I've since bought everything I could find. Without The Fanfare is my favorite of all her albums. It's perfect and my 11 year old agrees it's her best album. Can't believe I'd never heard of her in all my years of listening.
Buy anything she records; it won't disappoint you.

It hits the mark on certain songs, but all in all she's recorded better ones.

Mary Black gives you music that is somewhat Irish, somewhat jazz, somewhat pop. Her music is very easy to listen to and often fun if not inspirational.

There's a Train That Leaves Tonight, Strange Thing, As I Leave Behind Néidén, and Diamond Days are nice to listen to, not favorites certainly but catchy.

The Water is Wide - very Irish, and Mary Black does an ok version, but I still see far too many re-dos of this song it fails to impress me. Without the Fanfare is mildly pretty but nothing special.

The real highlights of this album:
Nighttime is a great mix of her jazzy pop style, moving from slow rich tones to more upbeat sing-along parts.
The Crow on the Cradle is possibly my favorite Mary Black piece, a rich taste of tradition and folklore. Beautiful.

Overall I enjoy this CD and recommend it.

Mary Black still possesses one of the most enchanting singing voices in the world today.This recording affords some opportunities to showcase her wonderful vocals although, it has to be said, her choice of material has improved since this album was recorded.

The rendition of Ellis Island is particularly powerful and poignant.A song of separation, loss and national and personal pain is gut wrenching in the intensity and beauty of the delivery here.

There's a train that leaves tonight is evocative and moving.

Without the fanfare is simple and elegant.Mary does it full justice.

Other tracks are adequate although the crystal clarity of Mary Black's voice makes them seem better than they are.