Song for Ireland

by Mary Black

Overview

This compilation album features songs from Mary Black's previous albums. The main focus is on renditions of traditional Irish tunes, although a few recent songs such as "Ellis Island" are also included. Mary Black lets her roots show more on this album, and her Irish accent and the use of fiddle, accordion, and pipes bring an authenticity to the music. The lyrics effectively convey the simple pleasures and the hardships of growing up in small Irish towns where people often spend their whole lives. There are also songs calling for national unity ("Both Sides of yhe Tweed") in addition to tributes for national heroes such as Michael Collins ("The Shadow"). The music certainly plays to her strengths, with her passionate vocals at the front of the mix. She begins the opening song a cappella, and her voice is so captivating that you barely notice the spare accompaniment. Lovers of traditional Irish music should check this album out. ~ Vik Iyengar

Product Details

Release Date:	03/30/1999
Label:	Gift Horse Recordings / Gifthorse Records
UPC:	0739341005022
Rank:	61531

Tracks

1. Loving Hannah
2. Leaboy's Lassie
3. Schooldays Over
4. Men of Worth
5. Both Sides the Tweed
6. Colcannon
7. The Shadow
8. My Donald
9. Ellis Island
10. The Holy Ground
11. Song for Ireland

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mary Black   Primary Artist,Vocals,Bodhran
The Black Family   Primary Artist
Maire Breatnach   Guest Artist,Synthesizer
Donal Lunny   Guest Artist,Bouzouki,Synthesizer
Frances Black   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh   Guest Artist,Vocals
Caroline LaVelle   Guest Artist,Cello
Martin Black   Vocals (Background)
Pat Crowley   Piano,Accordion,Synthesizer
Brendan O'Regan   Bouzouki
Kevin Glackin   Fiddle
Frank Gallagher   Synthesizer
Mairtin O'Connor   Accordion
Declan Sinnott   Guitar,Soloist,Synthesizer
Philip Begley   Synthesizer
Michael Black   Vocals (Background)
Noel Bridgeman   Drums,Accordion,Percussion
Peter Browne   Pipe
Eoghan O'Neill   Bass
Shay Black   Vocals (Background)
Garvan Gallagher   Double Bass
Pat Armstrong   Vocals (Background),Guitar

Technical Credits

P.J. Curtis   Producer
Honor Hefferncur   Harmony
Mandy Murphy   Harmony
Phil Colclough   Composer
Traditional   Composer
The Black Family   Performer
Billy Robinson   Engineer
Ewan MacColl   Composer
Donagh Long   Composer
Dick Gaughan   Composer
Dick Colclough   Composer
Phil & June Colclough   Composer
Mary Black   Arranger
Declan Sinnott   Harmony,Arranger,Producer
Philip Begley   Engineer,Assistant Producer
Jimmy Crowley   Arranger
Brian Masterson   Engineer
Dan Fitzgerald   Engineer
Sarah McCann   Assistant Engineer
Archie Fisher   Composer
Noel Brazil   Composer
Robert Burns   Composer