For over thirty years, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. During that time, she has released 12 studio albums, all of which achieved platinum sales status and spawned countless hits.
Last month, she released an album unlike anything she has done before; Mary Black Orchestrated. This album is a reimagining of 11 of Mary’s favourite songs, orchestrated and produced by world renowned musician and composer Brian Byrne. The album features the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Byrne and is a stunning reinterpretation of songs like No Frontiers, The Urge For Going, Summer Sent You and Carolina Rua.
No Frontiers was recorded in 1989 and was to become Mary’s breakthrough song internationally – so an obvious choice for the orchestrated project. On Friday 15th November Mary performed this song live with the National Symphony Orchestra on The Late Late Show.
2019 has been a busy year for Mary, hosting the popular TV series Ireland’s Favourite Folk Song and still managing to keep up with a busy touring schedule. She was also recently the subject of a landmark RTE Documentary on RTE1.
The programme detailed her early beginnings growing up in a tenement on Dublin’s Charlemont Street to her international success with songs such as Song for Ireland, No Frontiersand the blockbuster success of A Woman’s Heart as well as her journey from childhood to iconic Irish singer.
However, music is at the heart of things for Mary and embarking on this Mary Black Orchestrated is something she’s greatly enjoyed.
“What a great honour to have some of my favourite recordings orchestrated by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Brian Byrne at the National Concert Hall” she said.
“I’ve picked songs that mean a lot to me, some well-known and other less known gems. I couldn’t imagine how great they would turn out with Brian Byrne composing some stunning orchestral arrangements that have breathed new life into these songs. Hearing the RTE Orchestra perform them during recording in the NCH was truly moving for me. I’m really excited for the fans to hear this album”.
While playing a front-line role in bringing contemporary Irish music to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience, Mary has shared stages, TV shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time. Her enduring success has proven that her depth of talent and her love of singing transcend the generations, as well as national and musical boundaries.
She is indeed a real Irish treasure and her talent a gift from this small island to a grateful world.
CONCERT DATES:
Sat 23rd Nov The Opera House, Wexford
Sat. 14 Mar INEC, Killarney
Tue 17th Mar National Concert Hall, Dublin, with the RTÉ National Concert Orchestra
