Mary Courtney
Sceil Eile (Another Story)
© 2003 Completely Stone Mad Music (829757315720)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
SPECIAL: 20% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!
Irish, contempory and folk songs with a conscience.
tracks
try this
albums you will love
genres you will love
By Location
Recommended if you like ...
notes
Mary Courtney hails from a large musical family from Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, Ireland. She is the lead singer, guitarist, and bodhrán (Irish hand-held drum) player with the very popular New York based Irish Traditional band 'Morning Star'.
She has several recordings with the band namely,'These Better Days''Gra'and 'Away Ye Go Now'which can be purchased from cdbaby.Mary has also recorded with Black 47's Larry Kirwan on two of their albums 'Fire of Freedom' and their most recent recording 'New York Town' on the songs 'Living in America' and 'Eleven Years On' She has sang live many times with the band and most recently on stage at BB Kings NYC for the opening night party for the Tony Award winning play 'The Liutenant of Innishmore'
Chris Byrne of Seanchai and The Unity Squad invited Mary to sing his song 'Mise Eire' on their CD 'Rebel Massive' along with Shane McGowan and Damien Dempsey.
'Sceil Eile' is Mary's first solo CD. It is a collection of twelve songs each telling their own story of love (in its various forms), equality, and justice. Mary plays guitar for 10 of the tracks and bodhrán on one; she took the cover photo in 1995, from Brandon Point in Kerry. The last song is acapella. Beth Higgins sings backing vocals on track 5. In May of 2005 'The Memphis in May'International Festival featured Mary in that years festival's salute to Ireland which was the featured country that year.
Mary and many other singers and musicians donated their time and talent on a CD entitled 'Rescue'to help fellow counryman and singer Danny O'Flaherty who lost his livelihood and his pub O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Center in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.All monies from sales of this CD goes to Danny and his family.To purchase a copy of 'Rescue' please go to :www.dannyoflahery.com
Mary has a new single deal with MCS (Manhattan Center Studios)This new beautiful song is entitled 'The Sky Belonges to Dreamers' was written and composed by her very good friend Dave Mc Gilton from Co. Cork Ireland. For a preview and sales click on: www.cdbaby.com/cd/mcourtney2 or go to itunes to purchase. Dave has just released a new CD called 'Louder than the Drums of War' (www.artistsforhealing.com)Everyone on this album donated their work for this amazing project.
Mary plays a steady Thursday night session with fellow band member Berrnadette Fee (Fiddle) from 7pm to 10.00pm at The Punch Bowl Pub,5820 Broadway (at the corner of 238th St.) Bronx (718)884- 7322. A steady Sunday gig with another band member Donie Ryan (Banjo)from 2pm to to 5pm at The Red Setter Pub, 49-07 69th St. Maspeth Queens NY. Every Sunday at 'The Crooked Knife' Pub & Restaurant 30th Street (Bet Madison & Park Ave) NYC from 8pm - 11pm
Solo Gigs: Second Wednesday of each month at An Beal Bocht Cafe W. 238th St Riverdale NY 8pm www.anbealbochtcafe.com All solo and band gigs listed on;
http://www.myspace.com/morningstarnyc
reviews
Please log in to review this album.
One of the very best!
author: meg cookeI have almost every Irish and Celtic album available and this is one of my favorites. Mary Courtney has a lovely, powerful voice that is never drowned out by the music. The songs on this album showcase her voice well. More Irish songs please, Mary!
India and I are blown away...
author: ReneeIndia and I were surfing music...and found you, We were stunned to find your downloads on myspace. We found your website and your last CD, and both of us had tears and and an extreme desire to see you. If anyone reads this besides you, they might think that we are obsessed fans, they wouldn't possibly know that we are family. We miss you...I must call my sister or my mom and get your #. I have some gigs for you here if you are interested, but that's just a ploy to see you. India and I are so moved ...as usual...by your voice! My friend, it was the best we've ever heard. The first time I ever heard your voice, it stood the hairs up on the back of my neck (my mother had the same experience that same night). My dear, your voice has improved...I am quite sure that this is not possible...India and I were awed by your new CD. She is dying to see you and know you...she calls you her aunt. Let's get in touch. I love you, Renee
- author: Erin Loughran
Good stuff Mary! I'm over here in Ireland studying Irish music at the University of Limerick, who would of thought hah! Anyways sounds great as always!!
- author: Maire McVicker
I believe that Mary Courtney is one of the finest Singer Songwriter's I have come across in the industry. I highly comend the artist and look forward to hearing her live again in the very near future. One just needs to buy all of her albums! They don't necessarily have to be in a jewel case they just need to be in a CD player...
Magical & Thought-provoking
author: Caoimhghin HigginsAlthough having seen Mary perform live, each time that I listen to this CD I am (again) stirred by the beauty, clarity, and range of her vocal instrument. Her interpretations and arrangements do justice to each tale, as elements of humanity & it's constant struggles penetrate the soul with cries of acknowledgement & change.
Enjoyed immensely
author: MurdochI heard Mary sing in New York two years ago and was captivated by her rendition of Mandela. Bought the c.d. for that track alone yet have enjoyed all of them. I'm returning to the Big Apple in February and hope to catch another gig.
In a rating of 1-10 I would give this a 6.
author: Terry L. HolsteThe CD was good, but I felt that some of the songs had not been recorded properly - the phrasing, harmony, etc. left a little bit to be desired. However, I will probably purchase another one of her CD's in the future. Also, I was disappointed that it was not shipped in a plastic holder, as most CD's are, but if that is the way your CD's are sent, please downsize the CD cover, so it can be put in a plastic cover - plastic covers make it a lot for people to store their CD's.
- author: Kathleen Ryan
I love this CD and keep listening to it over and over. Mary's voice is incredible and songs leave you thinking about them after they are over. Favorite is Mandela but like them all.
- author: Peter Conway
I admit that I had never heard of Mary Courtney, and only discovered this album while doing an internet search for something else. I listened to the sample songs, and knew I had to own this CD. So, not long after The CD arrived at my address in Coventry, England. The Cd is excellent, and I recommend it to all. Standout tracks for me are Derry City, Is Mise Eire and Seeds of Freedom, but every track is excellent. Mary, if you ever read this review, thanks for your time and effort in making the CD. Oh,and how about some more songs with just your beautiful voice and the bodhran?
Great voice, great songs.
author: Frank GoodwinThe cd was recommended to me by someone in Boston and having known Mary's folks in Castlegregory I could'nt wait to try it. I was not disappointed. A wonderful voice and a great selection of songs. Frank
lovely, powerful, compelling
author: marty gearhartI bought the album for "Christmas in the Trenches" which I heard on the radio -- it is a profoundly compelling rendition of John McCutcheon's incredible song and I had to have it. But I loved all the songs and agree with other reviewers about her wonderful voice.
lovely voice singing gentle rebel songs
author: Jim HillA super record! She has a clean, lovely voice that presents itself without pretense. Even her rebel songs have a purity and beauty that make an Irishman both sad and proud. The CD is the epitome of grace under fire; it proves that truth can exist without anger.
- author: Aine Dubh
absolutely brilliant! I just love her voice - it is so beautiful and strong. I love that the CD is not mixed & re-mixed. It is raw and more beautiful because of that. She also sounds great w/ Larry Kirwn on Black 47's new CD! such diversity!
vintage mary
author: martin kennymary is as good as they come , a pleasure to listen to and a great talent , being Irish im proud of ya
Mary gives voice to her passions for music and her homeland. Inspiring!
author: Meg BrooksWhen I started to listen to this CD, I had to stop everything I was doing and give it my full attention all the way through. In this collection, which includes one of her own songs, Mary's lovely, supple voice captivates, moves, and gives one to think! An achievement. (Just wish there were more of the bodhran!)
mesmerising...
author: Paul Higgins - WKZE 98.1 FMsimple, stark, powerful arrangements of traditional story-songs. the standouts (which change weekly)are 'christmas in the trenches' (a tear every time) and 'derry city' (just a activists voice and a bouyant bodhran). i've played this record on my radio show...perfect evening music.
- author: bill mccormick
as usual, mary is at the top of her form I don't think she could make a bad cd if she tried!!!
fantastic!!!!
author: Fionnafantastic!!!!
- author: J. Dawson
This is a fantastic compilation of unique and interesting songs. I have always enjoyed Mary as lead singer of Morning Star, and this gives her a change to really shine.