Interesting albums from the folk and roots music history: Mary Coughlan
This episode of DiscCover will be a treat for all lovers of blues, jazz and folk. If we add a dash of emotions, bravado and defying all conventions, and then mix this with craftmanship, a musical and lyrical edge combined with a powerful, raw voice … that is Mary Coughlan.
This Irish singer didn’t make her debut until she was 29, with the album Tired & Emotional. It was an instant success. A few years before this, she had met Dutch guitarist Eric Visser in Galway, who took her under his wings. He composed and arranged songs for her and pushed her in the right direction as for a while, Coughlan was headed down the wrong path; addicted to alcohol (and perhaps more), she lived on the edge of society and even made several suicide attempts.
The success of her debut album unfortunately brought her down again, and made her relapse into some old, bad habits. She took a break, and disappeared from the stage. In 1985, about 10 years after her break-through, she returned to the podium at The Roisin Dubh in Galway, and some of these performances were recorded on their 24-track digital in-house system. We hear a strong, reborn and compelling Mary Coughlan on these recordings. She is accompanied by pianist Brian Connor, saxophonist Ciaran Wilde and guitarist Conor Barry, that form a sublime and sensitive, yet dynamic trio – a sober setting that makes Coughlan excel. The album Live in Galway is charged with deep emotions and belongs to Coughlan’s best work.
Mary Coughlan – Live in Galway – Big Cat ABB116CD
Playlist
- Laziest Girl (C. Porter)
- The Beach (A. Hensey, E. Visser)
- Hearts (J. Brel, translation: A. Hensey, E. Visser, J. Mulhern, M. Coughlan)
- Country Fair Dance (Gerry O’Beirne)
- I Want To Be Seduced (G. Tigerman)
- Ancient Rain (J. McCarthy)
- Sweet Victim (J. McCarthy)
- Not Up To Scratch (B. De Groot, L. Nijgh, translation: R. Hensey)
- Just A Friend Of Mine (Schoovaerts, Schoufs, Lambrecht)
- Blue Surrender (D. Long)
- Magdalen Laundry (J. Mulhern)
- My Land Is too Green (A. Hensey, E. Visser)
- Delaney’s Gone Back On The Wine (J. Mulhern)
