Its hard to believe that 4 decades have passed since Mary Coughlan went into the studio to record her debut album ‘Tired and Emotional’.
That album led to appearances on The Late Late Show, a hit single with ‘Delaney’s Gone Back On The Wine’, and led to Mary establishing her position as the First Lady of Jazz and Blues in Ireland.
Heavily inspired by Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith she also embraces rock, folk, and chanson (Edith Piaf) influences in her work.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join this iconic singer in celebrating 40 years of the most uncompromising, wholly personal, and universal music by any Irish artist.
Uncut – “Mary is a living link between Billie Holliday and Amy Winehouse.”
Blues in the South – “A wonderful example of a jazz-based album. Sometimes called a new Billie Holliday, but she is better than that. She turns her stunning voice to anything, not a duff track here.”
Audiofileman.com – “This new album is beautifully mastered & bathes in a delicate wash of space & air that tracks reverb from the vocal all the way down to cymbal taps. Coughlan has a voice chiselled by years of experiences & she’s now telling her story. Her lyrics are delivered with great weight and a knowledge of what goes on out there.”
Get Ready To Rock – “‘Life Stories’ is a reaffirmation of what fans already know is a special talent. ****”
Blues Blues.co.uk – “Life Stories is storytelling at its best and she makes you believe that you are listening to her life stories”.
Rhthym & Booze – “Coughlin delivers a stirring, compelling and brutally honest album full of addictive highs and heart-wrenching lows.”
Music Republic – 5/5***** “One listen to her stunning new album & it’d be obvious to a deaf man that her effortless vocal ability is a rare gift & she can more than back up the accolades & reward the adulation.”
Musicriot.com – 5/5*****““Life Stories” is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year. It’s a journey from pessimism to optimism with occasional flashbacks and doesn’t ignore the fact that even the most horrific journeys can have their humorous twists and turns. It’s a fine set of musicians creating settings that make these twelve diamonds sparkle.”
Velvet Thunder – “To hear her sing is truly to be at the core of the human heart”.
