Mary Coughlan - The Whole Affair: The Very Best of Mary Coughlan (Celebrating 25 Years) (2017)

Fantastic 2CD career retrospective from one of Ireland's premium contemporary performers. Over 25 years blending artistic triumph with personal tragedy, Mary Coughlan has drawn heavily from her legendary heroes across all genres - traditional folk, jazz, blues and torch-singing. From Billie Holiday's grievous, teary outpourings to the husky flirtations of Peggy Lee; from Van Morrison's soulful wails to the tortured chanteusery of Edith Piaf, Mary has taken inspiration and produced a body of work defiantly her own. Now here is a package offering all of the very best of Coughlan's artistry. CD1 is culled from 25 years of quite extraordinary studio recordings. "Ancient Rain", "Invisible To You" and "Man Of The World" are among the greatest of Mary's many great hits. CD2 offers the chance to enjoy Mary live, because the stage is where Mary comes alive, whether before an intimate, late night club audience or ten thousand festival revellers. It's hard to imagine a more succinct demonstration of both the raw and refined nature of Mary's talents.