For the last quarter-century, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. She has shared stages, TV shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time. She has also played a frontline role in bringing Irish music, past and present, to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience. The San Francisco Chronicle has described her as “One of the best interpretative singers around.”
“I consider myself lucky to have witnessed a legend in action and I spent the rest of the night wondering why I’d let Mary Black just pass me by” (Get Ready to Rock). More information
Excellent concert
We saw Mary Black in 1987 when we were all much younger, yet the spirit and love get better with age. First time at the Fine Arts Center, wonderful venue and magnificent music and concert, like visiting with an old friend.
I had not seen Mary Black live in concert before. It was a great show. She and her band sounded great. She sang all my favorites. Mary performed for a long time. I got more than my moneys’ worth. I am still humming the tunes.
Cha
I’ve been a fan all my life. I’ve visited Ireland 15 times from 1968 to my last visit in 2004 and I’ve never had the opportunity to see Mary in Concert until last Friday. Mary Black is unique in her interpretation of the lyrics of any song she sings. Sinead
O’ Connell is a close second.
The musicians were first class and Mary was kind enough to sign autographs after the show. I had a fantastic time.
For those that don’t know it Mary’s sister, Frances Black, is also a gifted singer.
This was my second time attending a concert of Mary’s and it was as wonderful as the first time. She has become one of my top 5 female singers. This was my first event at the Fine Arts Center but hopefully not my last. Thank you for bringing the wonderful Mary Black to your venue.
I was quite disappointed in the Mary Black concert. Her music sounded much the same throughout the evening. I would like to have heard some more well known Irish music. The sound mix was not good so it was very difficult to hear the words. Sorry to be negative but that is the way I felt.
I have been a fan of Mary Black for 20 years or more. Our son and his family live in Cork so we travel there frequently, but have never had the opportunity to see her perform live. I enjoyed the concert very much and loved the fact that she stayed in the lobby to sign her cd’s and talk with all of the concert-goers. However, I do agree that at times it was very difficult to hear the words to her songs. We sat only 4 rows back from the stage in a direct line with her and still we often missed a lot of the words. We noticed that all the speakers point out towards the sides. We also noticed this during the Arlo Guthie concert that we attended years back.
Beautiful voice, beautiful songs, great venue. A wonderful evening
I had never been to the Fine Arts Center but years ago was a frequent visitor to UMASS. Took my older brother, had a lovely pre-concert dinner in Northampton, and arrived to a lovely lively pre concert music fest (Irish of course). We enjoyed the music and very friendly people and a Guiness and I felt as if I was back in Ireland. Mary Black was beautiful in her music and nature. I especially enjoyed talking with her and her daughter after the show. We had a Great time and the center is lovely. Thanks for a spectacular evening.
Excellent concert. Mary Black and her band were very professional- and her daughter did a fabulous job with the warm-up. The irish group at the beginning of the evening was loveley and they also did a good job of warming up the crowd. It was nice to hear music for adults, and I hope she keeps performing in the US.