Mary Black, Emmylou Harris and Dolores Keane - Sonny (1991)

This is the elventh track of the "Twenty-five Years - Twenty-five Songs" DVD by Mary Black called "Sonny". The source of this clip is Bringing It All Back Home (1991) This videoclip has been uploaded with permission of Mary Black's record company 3ú Records. For information regarding this videoclip and its copyright, please visit www.mary-black.net and use the contact option.

[@AnnaCarr]

My dad (Peter Carr) directed this fantastic series. There are so many absolutely wonderful performances in it, and I had the privilege of witnessing some of them as a wide-eyed teenager. Glorious memories.

[@haripreethg]

Wow u must so proud of your dad

[@veritasamicus]

What is the series called ??

[@WISOTT]

Your Dad is a magician; he casts wonderful spells to entrance us

[@AnnaCarr]

@@veritasamicus Bringing It All Back Home

[@AnnaCarr]

@@WISOTT I’ll tell him you said so! The artists themselves are the real magicians though. Such talent!

[@briane173]

The harmonies struck by this trio of preeminent singers are absolute precision.

[@williamcole9040]

No X factor program on the planet could manufacture any thing even close to this. Pure gold.

[@mosshourigan]

mary black had the pureest voice there ever was

[@carthageflaherty6247]

what you mean is no shit!!!

[@tonycoldwell5418]

Wow 3m views! I've just come across this. Not seen it for some time. I was fortunate enough to be the young film cameraman on this whole series. We spent a couple of weeks in Nashville filming quite a few artists. I remember Richard Thompson, John Prine and the Everley Brothers in the same small studio and filming them too. Great songs, great musicians. Lovely to see how they are still appreciated so much. For clarity the series was Bringing It All Back Home for BBC Northern Ireland. Shot in 1990.

[@randybailin4902]

Mary Black's voice cuts through those harmonies like a hot knife through butter.

[@Xxxxxxx-i1h6t]

She's has the voice of an angel. It's stunning

[@WildPhotoShooter]

Harmony singing in country music just can't be bettered .

[@patcollins3228]

No one can do it like them,makes you proud to be irish.

[@54321Rambler]

Every time I see Emmylou Harris sing I fall in love with all over again. She has to be one of the most beautiful woman on this planet of ours.

[@tomp8094]

Is there any woman who has aged as gracefully as her? She is my all time favorite singer. Such a haunting and forlorn voice.

[@ruffian2952]

You aren't alone, lad.

[@michaellinnenkugel8681]

I love Emmy lou and have since the first time I heard her which must be at least forty years now

[@PlaneNuts2024]

I absolutely love Emmylou, what a wonderful woman. ❤️

[@PlaneNuts2024]

I completely understand your sentiments. I am totally besotted with her. I am always moved by her tender voice and gentle ways. I love her .

[@jaqmart]

Stellar harmonies -and let's not forget Liam O'Flynn and Davy Spillane with the haunting sounds of their uilleann pipes - class!

[@davidroga6508]

Stunning harmonies. Emmy, Mary and Dolores at their hauntingly best. Their voices weave and intertwine to compliment each other gloriously, surreal. A perfect masterpiece.

[@davidroga6508]

Cannot get enough of this song. Such a brilliant blend of voices to produce gut wrenching harmony.

[@staycurious644]

It’s ethereal.

[@eckpolmick5080]

A youtube treasure.

[@brigitnunez6735]

❤

[@jameshayes5008]

Brilliant

[@randybailin4902]

Absolutely gorgeous harmonies and solos. At the time, Mary Black may have had the purest female voice in the world. It's almost impossible to find a song with Emmylou singing harmony or a duet that isn't fabulous.

[@sugarmaple60]

Lovely but no one can compare with Joni Mitchell!

[@charlesstone4523]

Absolutely

[@kayzierogers2830]

@@sugarmaple60 why compare!

[@sugarmaple60]

@@kayzierogers2830 Why not?

[@rustymason3860]

I was thinking the exact same thing and then saw your comment!

[@mikeyk212]

Effortless. No hamming it up. No stretching notes. Just pure singing . All different and as good as each other . Emmy Lou probably the pick of them.

[@MrGaberlunzie1]

I LOVE Emmy LOU but she doesn't have Mary Black's voice.

[@Frankhealy]

Obviously Mary black wins it hands down, but the other ladies are fabulous too.

[@michaelkeegan3670]

Splitting hairs. And dare I say it: the two greatest uileann pipers. Said it!

[@jerrylong6011]

It’s all subjective and based on individual taste. For me, nobody can hold a candle to Dolores Keane. The tone of her voice is ethereal and inimitable. The greatest Irish female vocalist that ever was.

[@barryfitzgerald6200]

Mary black hands down

[@lindaguerrero3256]

The pipes are an excellent texture, so mournful.

[@nbenefiel]

That’s Liam og O’Flynn, one of the best Irish pipers ever.

[@sugarmaple60]

@@nbenefiel The Uillean so much nicer than the bagpipes.

[@davidroga6508]

I have heard most versions, but these three pull this version together with such haunting harmonies that leave the others behind. Don’t get me wrong, the other versions are brilliant but this one is just another level. Thanks for such beautiful music. Have to listen this version ever so often. It’s absolutely stunning.

[@dicklindner3592]

Yes it is!

[@jeanneobrien7381]

AGREE

[@sharleencronje8132]

Anything that Emmylou Harris touches turns to gold. Her voice is like hearing an angel sing.

[@edro3838]

Beautiful

[@randallc.duncan9383]

Wow ! Love this . Emmylou Harris and The Hot Band, fantastic. !

[@ianobrien2180]

Gorgeous version of a great tune.. . The Uileann pipes are just class...😊

[@gerrytighe5716]

Liam og and Davy Spillane brilliant

[@Silverblade61]

Ian O Brien oh YES !!!!! Love from Germany

[@marykinsella417]

❤​@@Silverblade61

[@SuzannePenrose-tn6mo]

I used to go an Irish pub. This song stayed with me

[@robertbutler5559]

Takes me to a place in my youth when I first heard Emmylou. Mary Black strengthens my ties it to the beautiful green island of Ireland. Thank you Mary for your Song for Ireland.

[@brigitnunez6735]

Sublime

[@Harlequin333]

3 great true women, simple but with celestial voices who sing a simple song of extraordinary beauty. The voices of Celtic culture are among the best in the world! A heartfelt greeting to you from Italy!

[@marybarone2648]

Have always loved the sound of Emmy Lou Harris’s voice. So beautiful & she makes it look so effortless. What a gift. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@eugened41]

This is so beautiful and what a blessing to here this..

[@rdvqc]

Newfoundland's Ron Hynes lives on in this beautiful song. RIP Ron - we miss you.

[@davidstephens4447]

When the world gets to busy, too confusing, too trying. I put on my headphones, pull out my Mary Black albums and loose myself in her voice. Add in Emmylou Harris and Dolores Keane. Blessed are the peace makers.

[@ewanhaig4566]

David Stephens & Celtic Dragon 4 World needs more people like you, now more than ever. bless your souls :)

[@johnbarry3476]

Ewan Haig ... Well said a cara .... Respect from ireland

[@shamodonnelly4064]

David Stephens mary song for lreland would love every Irish American to hear pal

[@lauraobrien2047]

Had Dolores in my house a while ago....and sitting down talking to her...her stories good or bad put things into perspective.....a quality human being with a good heart

[@Fpstup]

Laura O'Brien lucky you

[@msaligned]

I can never listen to this just once - the minute it's over I want to hear it again...even though the beauty and the sadness make me want to cry.

[@grizzlybear4]

I listen to it several times too.

[@lonnieljones]

Sonny's Dream, written my Ron Hynes from Newfoundland Canada. I think every band east of Montreal has had a crack at this classic. I love this version; the voices are pure and sweet.

[@buailebawns2162]

Mary Black's voice was considered so pure, that it was used as an audiophile benchmark for comparing the sound quality of different high fidelity systems.

[@froggiechar]

Such beautiful voices! Angels, sent from heaven above! Thank you for sharing this wonderful video of three beautiful ladies! God bless, Brother Charles Pratt, O.H.

[@KateWalsh-zq8oz]

Dolores an amazing voice ❤ lovely deep tone, real folk singer

[@carolthomas1805]

This tune will NEVER grow old. What a masterpiece!!! Love it, truly love it!

[@marilpelley969]

Such a beautiful song! .

[@larrymclarnon-pd8xf]

Gorgeous, the girls and the song

[@franzheger2871]

If heard this song a few years ago as i was jumping thru youtube, thought, cool, add it tomorrow to my favorites ... i didnt find it anymore, till today ... it just appeard in the list today ... thxxxxxxxx :)

[@ryankelly2851]

Wow. The harmonies are perfect

[@dennisgreene7164]

Incredibly sad song. Beautifully performed.

[@newsnowireland4028]

Who are the 232 people who gave this a thumbs down 👎🏻 This is absolutely amazing 😉🇮🇪🇺🇸

[@erickent3557]

eyes blurred by tears, they hit the wrong button! Can't blame 'em.

[@johnbyrne1258]

We named our beautiful daughter after emmylou.. Her voice is amazing. Go on the irish lassies!! :))

[@coliekeane3398]

3 of Arguably the best female folk singers on the planet with the best 2 pipers, its like Barcelona when Ronaldinho was there

[@jimpdeignan]

Wow. 3 truly gifted artists in their prime. Love it. Emmylou has earned her Irish citizenship.

[@SuperMrHiggins]

I swear this is one of the saddest songs written.

[@littlefox2324]

Mary is perfection but Emmy is mystical/magical- love them so much. Love you Emmy Lou! 💕

[@johndiamond5824]

WOW, three very strong individual voices coming together, Perfect harmonies.

[@Macca1000001]

This version of the song "Sonny" was performed for an RTE television documentary tracing the journey of Irish music (its forms and influences) across the Atlantic to the Americas. It's a great example of a North American composition written in the Irish tradition.

[@gavRirvine]

BBC Transatlantic Sessions, recorded in a house in Scotland - 6 series on KZbin - tracing the journey of Scottish/Irish music across the Atlantic

[@msikio]

@@gavRirvine "Transatlantic Sessions" is a much later series based on the same model. This is "Bring it All Back Home". You can find the LPs, CDs, DVDs...

[@mjw12345]

Is Emmylou the most generous collaborator ever? She makes blessed, memorable every performance with other great artists.

[@terryguinan104]

what company. Dolores is our Janet. total respect across the singers. for those who have experienced a sing song in a Irish pub, this is it. Respect for the singer is given. Mary is a class act. Miss those days.

[@johnkeating4221]

Have listened to Emmy Lou Harris for many years, just pure sound from the soul.

[@krookiemonster2673]

My mom reminded me that this used to be my favorite as a toddler..born in 90. Got a 4yr old now. He loved boygenius whe. He was a baby..

[@howardbradshaw3233]

Fantastic song, still love Emmy Lou to this day

[@littlefox2324]

Here for Emmy but my God! How I love that little sweet laugh from Delores! Makes me smile every time - and I’ve watched this more times than I can count. It’s perfection.

[@charlesfletcher2437]

You could not have said it better, very kind words...

[@margaretdavies6529]

That song is sung with so much feeling just beautiful xx

[@donatellag.9332]

3 of the most beautiful voices ever. Goosebumps!

[@johnscanlon6977]

Forget the 3 Wise Men..these 3 more wise create 3 D harmony above harmony!!!... pure classic brilliance.John Co Tipperary Ireland.

[@johncritch6812]

In a lineup at grocery store i was singing this song and behind me was Ron Hynes smiling !

[@johncritch6812]

@sarahspeaks144 the cashier said to me you cant sing that he can. I turned and Ron Hynes was behind me with a big smile on his face.

[@lizross9285]

Just pure talent up there. Nothing fancy, just pure talent. Thank you.

[@lauraobrien2047]

Nothing fancy...didn't complicate it...just sang the song

[@geraldneary1948]

They're just mighty.

[@tonremmers2857]

Can’t stop listening to this song performed by these great artists. From Holland #Staysafe everyone

[@catherinedocherty7459]

Brings a tear to my eye it is so beautiful. Amazing singers all of them.

[@corlangedijk2392]

3 of the most beautiful voices in the world.

[@daniellucena9694]

Well...looks like someone has reunited these 3 greatest female vocalist.Masterpiece is the right word for this beautiful song...Lord this song is meant to last until the end of times!!!Regards from Argentina.

[@jaqmart]

Mary Black and Emmylou have wonderful voices - Nanci Griffith, the great American singing star, said of Keane: “Dolores Keane, the queen of the soul of Ireland, has a sacred voice.”

[@marvincavanaugh7659]

Absolutely Awesome I have been following EmmyLou since she was at WC (UNCG). I have not heard that she could not harmonize with ie Spanish Johnny with Waylon. I just started following the music of Mary and Delores. They are absolutely awesome also

[@andrzejczechowski9184]

should be listened to every day

[@aljygilbert]

How can anyone dislike such beautiful harmonies , such sweet voices and such emotive lyrics.

[@deckiedeckie]

Little by little I keep uncovering musical jewels fm these beautiful girls....I'm 70.....never too late to appreciate beautiful music/girls....

[@ericahernandez9459]

This is a truly beautiful melody sung with the intense feeling it needs by these wonderful musicians.

[@paulaisomura4894]

I’ve Been a fan of Emmylou Harris for decades. However, if God has blessed me with a good singing voice, I would’ve chosen Mary Black’s. I love this song and this version is sublime.

[@lizziestew]

I love this song sung by these 3 great ladies, Mary Black,Emmy Lou Harris, Dolores Keane

[@chtresham648]

Another gem.

[@Fpstup]

Voices of angels, beautiful sublime, sad there are people in the world who will never hear this.

[@gerrylyons7496]

Absolutely stunning 😍✨️

[@johntowle1453]

Beautiful, simply beautiful. I can imagine camping in the Arizona desert mountains under a dark sky blanketed with stars and lying in my sleeping bag, listening to these three women sing me to sleep. Song after song, hour after hour. Thank you Lord!

[@deserthighways4095]

Beautiful ladies, beautiful music. Who could ask for more

[@ashrach18]

I could, another few songs would be great, Emmylou looks fantastic, you have excellent taste my friend.

[@deserthighways4095]

Emmy lou is still beautiful and has a voice like an angel. An American music treasure

[@dicklindner3592]

Not asking for more,just love them for ever...

[@gordypardee9082]

is it just me, or are these the BEST!!!???

[@corfemandan8368]

Beautiful version

[@timchapman4234]

Emmylou loves the Appalachian tradition of American music. So nice to hear her singing songs of the Celtic/Irish tradition.

[@BrianWMay]

Wonderful. A class act, these three ladies and excellent musicians backing them.

[@adriennekraft2381]

I love it! Three great singers together. And a bagpipe.

[@christopherhogan9443]

Its not bag pipes its the irish elieum pipes

[@simmo303]

@@christopherhogan9443 Uilleann "Under the arm" and they are a type of Bagpipe.

[@barrymarcus9874]

Kraft how do you feel when listening to this song?

[@hch49]

Brings me to tears every time I listen. Angel voices take me back to Mama after Daddy passed. The only thing that dampens this video for me is the Texaco station at the end. Sorta spoils the feel.

[@CountrynIrish]

Wonderful Song ! Love it ! Beautifully sung by three extremely talented singers ! Fabulous Video ! It's a joy to watch ! Thank you so much for this fantastic upload ! 5*****+

[@tomtorrell8019]

Great song and it's been said many times, Emmy has the voice of an angel..

[@MrA259]

Mary Black continues to amaze

[@2ANDERSON5420]

Been an Emmylou fan forever, "discovered" Dolores from the tune "When Irish Girls Grow Up" from Tom Russell's album, and stumbled across Mary Black today, led me to this one! Love it!

[@littlefox2324]

So freaking perfect!

[@marysmith1922]

This song always makes me cry. My youngest brother, like sonny was the “ comfort “ in my mothers old age. Every time he tried to break a way she would reel him back in with her selfishness. 🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@Elaine-oo4qp]

A beautiful song written by the legendary Ron Hynes - Godspeed, Ron - we all miss you dearly.

[@mfmbam]

Immaculate and beautiful harmonies - magic.

[@otuathail4095]

This is the best version of this song I've ever heard.

[@gailgouveia]

prepared keane

[@patculpepper9662]

Love to hear Emmylou and Mary sing together.

[@joesmith-jb4ls]

I agree. But you should hear Sonny by Hayley Westenra. She sings and makes me cry

[@thecathancegroup]

You took my comment.

[@joesmith-jb4ls]

fred cheney wrong guy. Not me

[@brianmurphy8947]

Wonderful performance!1 remember Frank Sinnott!! Declan;s brother!!! Another creative Wexford genius!!! God bless you Frankie!

[@darylparker2609]

You can't get better than that brilliant.

[@trevordickson8617]

I saw & heard this on ABC television as a filler between programs many years ago (early 1980's) & was immediately captivated by it. Until you-tube started I had no idea what the song was called, vaguely sunny or sonny, or who sang it as I only saw it once. Such a haunting & beautiful version with these 3 fantastic voices. Real magic!

[@arnalipkind8470]

Beautiful song and tribute to the sacrifice of our military families

[@patdiamond7042]

Absolutely beautiful, three treasures!

[@bigbadredsox]

Never get tired of this!

[@teresaabelho7842]

Beautiful ❤

[@laphluver]

can't get enough of this song..they sound so great together

[@MrKonradsen]

Those 3 voices are perfect together. Excellent.

[@LoisStubley]

One of my favourite songs; three great singers - love it!!!

[@rodneysprague3842]

What wonderful voices from these three talented ladies....love the song so much

[@barrymarcus9874]

Lois how do you feel when listening to this song?

[@gordypardee9082]

Thank you for your angels' voices, we need more angels in this time of turmoil...

[@lisastebbing7865]

Amazing. What a combination of voices. These women are magnificent.

[@barrymarcus9874]

Lisa how do you feel when listening to this song?

[@1irishprodigal]

I first saw this in "Irish Music in America - a Musical Migration" back in 1994(?). I believe it aired on the Disney Channel. Great stuff.

[@MichaelDrake-b7r]

Y'all got a beautiful voice s my God feel like Angel's from Heaven are singing this.beatiful just beautiful.

[@ralphpongracz9443]

Absolutely beautiful!!!

[@jimmcgettigan1326]

Beautifully done.

[@yvescapoen9756]

To this day an ever great recording by 3 beautiful women they were just great