Just like on her previous CD "Shine" from 1997, singer Mary Black mixes traditional Irish folk with more poppy influences on "Speaking with the angel". Yet the 'Celtic' feel dominates the sound of the record, thanks to instruments such as accordion, violin, flute, didgeridoo and bouzouki. This atmosphere is most evident in modest guitar ballads like "Cut by wire", "Bless the road" and the title
… track written by Ron Sexsmith. A bit more arranged are the ballads "Broken wings" and "Moments". The most commercial sound are the pop songs "Don't say okay" and "Big trip to Portland". The most eye-catching covers on "Speaking with the angel" are the Crowded House song "Fall at your feet" and the Sting composition "Fields of gold" . (W.vd.Z.) _more
