Mary Coughlan, one of Ireland’s most revered and enduring performers, will celebrate her 40th year in music with the release of her 18th album, “Repeat Rewind”, on Friday 25th October 2024. The album on Hail Mary Records, will be available in vinyl, CD and digital formats.
Mary’s new single “What If I Do” from the upcoming album, will be her fifteenth and is a beautifully pared-back love song that captures her trademark emotional honesty with a wry grin.
Delivered with incredibly youthful, playful vocals that belie her 40 years as a recording artist, “What If I Do” perfectly showcases the raw talent of Mary Coughlan – an artist who truly deserves her place amongst some of the world’s most iconic and emotive singers. All of this comes ahead of a string of live dates including 11th November’s London Union Chapel show.
Mary says: “After 40 years in this crazy business I walk around Galway and remember absolutely everything about growing up there. All of those events made me who I am. The good and the bad times. All the learning. I’m still here and still working. I still love going to a studio and making music and playing music live.”
Mary’s career in music has been one hell-of-a-ride. Often described as the greatest female vocalist that Ireland has ever produced, Coughlan proudly stands alongside some of the world’s most iconic jazz singers.
She is unique in blending whisky-blurred, smoke-seared, husky notes with the laconic wit of Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee. She draws the line of deep, down and dirty blues singers back to Bessie Smith with the sardonic, bitter-sweet defiance and despair of Edith Piaf. Yet Mary Coughlan delivers it all in a delicious and unapologetic Irish drawl: skeptical, rueful, mournful and melting and ardent for love.
Mary is one of our greatest singers and across 40 years she has made the most grown-up, uncompromising, wholly personal yet utterly universal music on either side of the Atlantic about what goes on between men and women.
It’s hard to believe that four decades have passed since Coughlan went into the studio to record her debut album, Tired and Emotional. On her new album “Repeat Rewind”, as the title might suggest, we see Mary at perhaps her most open, honest and introspective (“Repeat Rewind”, “I Can Let Go Now”, “Really Gone”.) But not at the expense of her trademark humour and astute observations of everything from domesticity (“Marital Bliss”) and relationships (“Freefalling” featuring Ultan Conlon’) to women’s traditional place in Irish society (“More Like Brigid”).
A cover of The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” and a brand-new seasonal offering, “Tinseltown” should delight listeners and concert-goers alike, as Mary Coughlan celebrates four decades in music with this accomplished and heartfelt new album.
- Readers really should also check out her stunning album, “Life Stories”, this magazine’s five star “Album Of The Month” for September 2020. Read that review here: https://musicrepublicmagazine.com/2020/08/mary-coughlan-life-stories-hail-mary-records-4th-september-2020/
Mary’s “Track Record”…
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
A song called “Two Little Orphans” by Bridie Gallagher.
2. First single you owned?
“Something In The Air” by Thunderclap Newman.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“Blues Breakers: John Mayall with Eric Clapton” [Also known as “The Beano Album”].
4. First CD you owned?
I don’t know! I know I was shocked to learn that my own albums were coming out on CD. To be honest, it [one of Mary’s] was probably the first one I heard.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
I still buy CDs – the last one was a three-CD box set: “Essential Dusty Springfield”.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
I need a new copy of “Miles of Aisles” by Joni Mitchell.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“Saint Dominic’s Preview” by Van Morrison, “Frank Sinatra sings For Only The Lonely” by Frank Sinatra, “Lady In Satin” by Billie Holiday.
I had three copies of Damien Rice “O” – one in the car, one in my suitcase and one in the kitchen – played constantly during my marriage breakdown.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
“The White Album” by The Beatles.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
Nothing really unexpected, anything from The Beatles to Hoagy Carmichael, Jefferson Airplane to Captain Beefheart -and everything Dylan has recorded.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Since I was a young girl with a transistor radio I’ve listened to music; it transported me to a place away from my daily life. When I’m sad, I play sad music. I cry.
When I’m going through a rough patch I drive to the mountains and turn music up really loud and open the window. I instantly feel better.
Singing live is something else entirely. No words to describe it.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
Anything dancey (sic).
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
I’ve not heard it yet!
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
I sometimes turn on Simply Red and dance around the house.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“Into Your Arms” by Nick Cave.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“Have I Told You Lately” by Brian Kennedy. I can’t listen to that anymore…
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
None!
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
The ones mentioned above take me back to specific places. Chicken Shack’s “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “Listen To The Lion” by Van Morrison bring back the most painful memories.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Too many….Van Morrison, Tom Waits, Nick Cave Blue Nile, Joy Division.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
All the above!
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Dido’s Lament” by (Henry) Purcell.
Live photos by Ciara Buckley
Portrait image [under Question 15] by Hugh O’Conor
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