Known for its raw, emotive storytelling and "melancholy" tone, making it a favorite for late-night listening.
The Melodic Resistance of : Analyzing Mary Coughlan’s 2002 Landmark Mary Coughlan - Red Blues -2002-
A stark, haunting conclusion to the album, originally a Billie Holiday staple. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City Daniel Walsh, Michael Price Blue Light Boogie Jessie Mae Robinson You Can Leave Your Hat On Randy Newman Bill Bourne I'd Rather Go Blind Ellington Jordan, Billy Foster Black Coffee P.F. Webster, J.F. Burke Pull Up To The Bumper K. Loli, D. Manno, L. Dunbar, R. Shakespeare Harry Warren, Mack Gordon She's Got A Way With Men Hank Thompson, R. Lay One For My Baby Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer Strange Fruit Abel Meeropol (as Lewis Allan) Legacy and Context Mary Coughlan – Red Blues - Discogs Known for its raw, emotive storytelling and "melancholy"
Released in 2002, is a cornerstone of Mary Coughlan's discography, showcasing her reputation as Ireland’s premier jazz and blues vocalist Webster, J
Mary Coughlan's 2002 album "Red Blues" marks a pivotal moment in the Irish singer-songwriter's career, showcasing her unique blend of jazz, blues, and folk influences. Released to critical acclaim, the album cemented Coughlan's reputation as a distinctive and captivating vocalist, capable of conveying profound emotional depth through her music.
The album's title, "Red Blues," refers to the dual nature of human emotions, oscillating between the fiery passion of red and the melancholic introspection of blues. This dichotomy is reflected in Coughlan's lyrics, which explore themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.
Upon its release in 2002, Red Blues received strong reviews in the Irish press (The Irish Times gave it a glowing, if guarded, 4 stars) and respectable attention in the UK jazz and blues magazines. However, it did not break Coughlan into the mainstream American market. It was too dark, too Irish, too specific.