Without the Fanfare

Something of a departure from her more rootsy albums, WITHOUT THE FANFARE attempts to move Mary Black into more mainstream territory. Still staying true to her Irish folky groove, the polished production is aided by both a Kenny G-esque saxophone and mid-'80s synthesizer stylings. Easing into more mellow VH1 terrain, the album showcases contemporary Irish writers, whose earnest material creates a colorful journey through the worries and troubles of the country's past, present, and future. Black, known for her lilting soprano, uses her lower register on 'Ellis Island' to great dramatic effect, relating the personal pain of someone setting out to an unknown future with the possibility of never seeing their loved ones again. The CD includes two bonus tracks, one of which, the romantic 'Going Gone', is a perfect evocation of what it means to fall hopelessly and happily in love. WITHOUT THE FANFARE, which earned Black a gold record, nudges her a step further to a wider audience. Mary Black (vocals); Declan Sinnott (vocals, guitar, synthesizer, bass, programming); Donal Lunny (bouzouki); Caroline Lavelle (cello); Carl Geraghty (alto saxophone); Noel Bridgeman (accordion, drums, percussion); Pat Crowley (keyboard)