Album Notes

Brad Kava of The San Jose Mercury News writes in his Sunday article on "Indie Music":
"Hauntingly beautiful dreamy songscapes, sung in a mix of English and Irish. If you like mega-platinum Enya, you can't miss with this. McLaughlin's voice not only rings true, but side musicians Radim Zenkl and Barry Phillips lend a dense weave to this lush Celtic tapestry. One of the ten best albums of 2004" .


Mary Mc Laughlin's new recording, "Crystal Shoe" is an enchanting and mystical album which synthesizes the ancient and the modern. Mary's poetic song writing and rich vocal layering is further embellished by some of the best acoustic musicians playing in the USA today, including US mandolin champion Radim Zenkl (who also plays flutes), award winning guitarist Robin Bullock, international percussionist Heidrun Hoffman - Rushworth and Gourd's own cellist Barry Phillips. There is also a guest appearance by renowned dulcimer player Neal Hellman.

The thirteen songs, eleven of which are original, view archetypal and mythological themes through a modern lens, as in the title track Crystal Shoe, The Weaver and Sleeping Beauty and also include mystical songs such as  Song to Bridget, The Mermaid (both in Gaelic), Angels and Deep Peace.