True to Coughlan’s style of alchemically transforming others' songs into autobiography, Red Blues features a mix of new material and covers of blues and jazz standards.
Released in 2002, is a pivotal entry in the discography of Mary Coughlan , often hailed as Ireland's greatest jazz and blues vocalist . Coming after her acclaimed multimedia celebration of Billie Holiday, this album finds Coughlan in a more relaxed and content state, yet without losing the "whisky-blurred, smoke-seared" emotional depth that defines her career. A Mature Evolution of Sound
Coughlan takes the Randy Newman track and underplays it, adding a layer of "sass and menace" that deviates from more bombastic covers.
The album's production relies on a tight ensemble of musicians, notably on piano and Frank Mead on saxophone, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of smoky, seedy backrooms. Track Highlights and Reinterpretations
These slow, introspective ballads demonstrate her mastery of jazz standards, originally popularized by Etta James and Frank Sinatra respectively.
A soulful opening that highlights her world-weary delivery.
True to Coughlan’s style of alchemically transforming others' songs into autobiography, Red Blues features a mix of new material and covers of blues and jazz standards.
Released in 2002, is a pivotal entry in the discography of Mary Coughlan , often hailed as Ireland's greatest jazz and blues vocalist . Coming after her acclaimed multimedia celebration of Billie Holiday, this album finds Coughlan in a more relaxed and content state, yet without losing the "whisky-blurred, smoke-seared" emotional depth that defines her career. A Mature Evolution of Sound
Coughlan takes the Randy Newman track and underplays it, adding a layer of "sass and menace" that deviates from more bombastic covers.
The album's production relies on a tight ensemble of musicians, notably on piano and Frank Mead on saxophone, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of smoky, seedy backrooms. Track Highlights and Reinterpretations
These slow, introspective ballads demonstrate her mastery of jazz standards, originally popularized by Etta James and Frank Sinatra respectively.
A soulful opening that highlights her world-weary delivery.