Holy Ground, The

After initial albums showcasing her eclectic Celtic sensibilities, followed by attempts to move into a more mainstream arena, Mary Black combines the best of all her musical powers on THE HOLY GROUND, creating distinct, rich characters on each of the songs. The theme of seeking a holy ground or a place to find a respite is the album's guiding force.
In a traditional Irish song, Black sings about a woman who waits patiently for her man to come home from the sea to spend time with her, only to watch him leave again. And in a pop song, she sings about a girl who seems to have everything at home but eventually knows she must grow up and leave to find her own personal higher ground. Black's interpretation of both these songs provides such a complete narrative thread that the two women seem interchangeable. On the Sandy Denny-penned "One Way Donkey Ride", the folk-rock sound fits Black's voice perfectly. The album ends with "Poison Words", a bitter retelling of a marriage gone sour, leaving Black, as well as her audience, wondering about the nature of love. Almost a song cycle, THE HIGHER GROUND is a satisfying musical journey.|