Just what we always wanted

Mari Wilson was doing retro-infused pop irony long before Amy Winehouse had her first alcopop and she was trilling soulful melodies when Duffy was still learning to sing "Ba Ba Black Sheep".

Mari began her career in the early eighties and took in huge pop stardom though unfortunately her real talent; that smoky but crystal clear jazz pop voice were overlooked in favour of her homage to vintage glamour and her often copied but never bettered contribution to hair sculpture and ozone depletion - the beehive hairdo.

Mari avoided the pop circus of the mid 80's in favour of film/tv and jazz music; 'I was up for the James Bond them for 'Octopussy' but instead they gave it to Rita Coolidge as the Americans had never heard of me.' Mari tells her live audience with gentle self-mocking. 'I did do one film theme though, 'Dance with a Stranger' the story of the last woman ever to be hanged in Britain.' Seeing the high camp value in everything has made sure that her most loyal fans are among the gay community.

Apart from her many appearances in jazz clubs little product was forthcoming until the critically well received 'Rhythm Romance' album in 1992. After this and giving birth to her daughter Lily May in 1997 we learned from Mari that she had type 1 diabetes which she keeps well under control through diet and exercise.

It seemed she was happy to be a mum who occasionally sang and then came some high-profile stage appearances in Boy George's 'Taboo' and the lead role in a large scale musical about Dusty Springfield that toured the UK in 2000 followed by 'Girl Talk', a musical pastiche with her friends Barb Jungr and Claire Martin on the domestic bliss of being a happy housewive.

Fans waited patiently until 2005 for 'Dolled Up 'an album that featured melancholic and defiantly heartbreaking songs from a 40 something woman who knows how to wring the right amount of pathos from a lyric and still be able to sing about the joys of wearing high heeled sling backs.

After celebrating 25 years in the business last year Mari is back to prove she is that rare gem - a genuine heroine of the British music scene. The beehive may be a thing of the past but Mari's music still retains a 60's theme with lots of melody. If you like your lady singers with wit, jazz and more than a little soul then you could do a lot worse than re-discover this fabulously talented singer.

"Emotional Glamour", the brand new CD by Mari Wilson, will be released on Monday 6 October 2008 on Mari's own label, Beehive Records. Produced by Mari Wilson and Adrian York, the CD features 10 new tracks all co-written by Mari and Adrian, plus one surprise bonus track.
Mari starts a 24 date nationwide tour on October 1st which takes in several North West venues until November 7th.

Exclusive interview with Mari Wilson coming soon.

WWW.MARIWILSON.CO.UK.