Mary Duff - The Very Best of Mary Duff the Early Years (2023)

Irish country-folk singer Mary Duff is best-known as the musical partner of popular easy listening crooner Daniel O'Donnell, but is also responsible for a rather prolific solo career of her own. Born in Lobinstown, County Meath, Duff first began performing at the age of 12 in her accordionist father's local band, and after leaving school, combined working as a secretary with fronting rock & roll covers band Jukebox. After winning a talent competition held by the Sunday World newspaper, she was introduced to manager Sean Reilly, who offered her both a solo deal and the special guest slot on Daniel O'Donnell's upcoming U.K. tour, a role she's continued to fulfill for more than 20 years. In 1988, she released her debut album, Love Someone Like Me, and has since gone on to release 14 studio LPs, including 2010's Voice of an Angel, a collaboration with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and a live album recorded at East Kirkby Aviation Centre. Her only U.K. solo chart entry came with 2005's Ultimate Collection, but she's had much greater success with the two albums recorded with O'Donnell, 1996's Timeless and 2007's Together Again, both of which made the Top 20, while their 2005 televised performance at Branson's Tri-Lakes Theater drew an audience of 60 million viewers, resulting in a number two Billboard World Music Chart placing for her LP Time After Time.