Twice Winner of the "Best Irish Female" IRMA Award"
Albums available online to anywhere in the world from www.frances-black.net, or click here
BIOGRAPHY
Ever since she first appeared as a solo artiste on the music scene in the early 1990s, award-winning singer Frances Black has enjoyed an enduring popularity that is as much attributable to her enchanting personality as to her beautiful voice.
Frances musical career began at 17, when she began singing with the Black Family, which consisted of her older musical siblings, brothers Shay, Michael and Martin, and well-known sister Mary. The Black Family, who are renowned for their sublime musical abilities and amazing harmonies, recently made a welcome return to the spotlight with the release of their third album, Our Time Together.
Frances gained confidence in her singing abilities and enhanced her performing skills through joining the band Arcady in 1988, in addition to her subsequent successful collaboration with acclaimed Newry singer-songwriter Kieran Goss. However, it was her involvement in the Woman's Heart albums and tours that placed Frances firmly in the public eye, and led to the release of her first solo album, Talk to Me, which was the number one best-selling album in Ireland for ten weeks. She has just released her eighth solo album, This Love Will Carry. Having decided to go back to her roots in traditional and folk music, Frances recently released a stunning collection of 25 tracks, comprised of new tracks. and tracks taken from her days in Arcady, the Black Family, and compilation albums such as A Woman's Heart and Eist.
It is quite a challenge to reconcile the vision of this charming and confident performer on stage with the knowledge that she has fought a huge personal battle to overcome the shyness and insecurity that were the hallmarks of her childhood and early adulthood. Frances sings with a passion and depth of emotion that reflects the inner strength and spirit that has helped her come through a series of personal difficulties. In tandem with her flourishing musical career, she qualified last year as an addiction counsellor and works part-time in this area.
Frances is renowned for creating a magical connection with her audiences wherever she goes, and the ease with which she achieves this is borne out by the reaction of audiences around the world, who have been unfailingly captivated by her natural warmth and honesty. Her gigs are a unique mixture of songs, stories and great music, with audiences being moved to tears by the poignancy of her songs and stories one minute, and are rolling in the aisles with laughter at her witty anecdotes and self-deprecation the next.
The extent of Frances' popularity and talent has been reflected in the awards and accolades she has received for her albums and live performances. She has twice been the recipient of one of the highest honours in Irish music, the prestigious Irish Recorded Music Associations, Best Irish Female Award. As a testament to the excellence of her live performances, she recently won the Best Solo Artiste and was the Overall Winner at the Celtic Fusion Festival Awards in conjunction with Irish Music Magazine, from over 40 nominated acts. See www.celticfusion.co.uk.
Really Love your voice and your songs Frances.I'm a self taught multi-instrumentalist/composer,who has listened to and played Irish music and song for the last 35 years (Lunny/O'Flynn/O'Carolan are my heroes)Wished I'd been born an Irish man,might have got somewhere with it all!!I really must have a go at some of your songs if you don't mind !! All the best...... John Burge
"Struggles & Lulls", the brand new album from Joan Coffey, is available now on ITunes
'a voice that can enchant. Coffey's vocal chords deliver liquid gold with a divine Irish lilt.' FATEA Records 'charming and honest'. Time Out 'Joan's music exudes a warmth, humility and truth that is rare to find in singer-songwriters these days'. Thea Gilmore
Dearest Francis...dropping in for a cuppa! I really gotta learn to listen to 'this love will carry' without bawling my eyes out!I end up having to listen to it all over again!!!Love you girl, have a brill weekend. Hugs x
Yahey Francis!!!Me and baby Jamie love rockin to Francis!!!You are adored for your warmth, brightness and indeed your magical voice...Have loved 'This love will carry' for a long time now, but went to a gig of yours in Dublin many moons ago, and loved 'legal/illegal' Mighty stuff altogether!. Blessings of abundance to you and yours...
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes, Frances. I'm just back from visiting with the grandkids (and I miss them already!). You've been quiet lately...I'm guessing you are very busy with school/work. Hope you find time sing and dance and laugh. Love and hugs, ~Sue
I'VE ENJOYED LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC, AND WELCOME YOU AS MY MUSICAL FRIEND. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY SONGS, AND IF SO, WOULD YOU PLEASE VOTE FOR ME IN THE ONGOING MUSIC CONTEST WHICH STARTED IN JANUARY, AND ENDS IN AUGUST. YOU CAN VOTE EVERYDAY, OR WHENEVER YOU THINK ABOUT IT BY SENDING PATRICIA A MESSAGE __www. myspace. com/patriciamastoandeds AND TELL HER YOU'RE VOTING FOR BILL CALLAS-"THE SILVER FOX CROONER" THIS CONTEST MEANS A LOT TO ME IN BEGINNING MY CAREER AT AGE 72,HA! THANK YOU KINDLY, YOUR FRIEND, BILL CALLAS
Hiya Frances, Many thanks for you reply. I will keep a lookout on your page but I think I will be over in Eire before those dates. Hopefully when it isn't raining!! Take care and have a great weekend. xx
Hi Frances its a pity u don't have Stranger On The Shore on ur site the way u sing it makes it one of my favourite songs....hope u can listen to my music some time there's good songs there waitn to be recorded by somebody ...all the best ...David
Bout Ye! Gorgeous weather up here, how r ye anyway? Having a wee ball to myself here, should really be working like, but nothing like a 5 minute skive lol. xxx