Mary Mc Laughlin

Bio:

Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Mary Mc Laughlin began studying the Irish language (Gaelic) at the age of eleven in the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish- speaking area.) Upon moving to London, England, she pursued joint careers, as both a performer and special education / vocal music teacher. Working on the English folk scene for over a decade she collaborated with many other musicians, notably Anne Lister, Martin Simpson and Steafan Hannigan. Her recording career really got under way in 1991 with the release of her first solo album: "Daughter Of Lír" produced by Jon Jacobs. In 1995 three songs from "Daughter of Lir" opened the acclaimed Narada "Celtic Voices" album which reached number 3 on the Billboard World Music Charts. Mary subsequently appeared as a guest on many other Narada recordings. Mary moved to the USA in 1997 where she toured with Martin Simpson's "Band Of Angels" and recorded "Celtic Requiem" with William Coulter on the Windham Hill label. This album placed Mary firmly in the “Celtic New-Age” bracket and tracks from "Celtic Requiem" have been featured on many Sony BMG compilations including "Conversations With God 2." In 2000, she sang the song “Flower On The Sea” composed by Michael Whalen, on the soundtrack of a PBS special, "Lost Liners." Her book "Singing in Irish Gaelic" was published in 2002 by Mel Bay Publishing. This book / cd set is geared towards non-Gaelic speakers and has a phonetic / aural approach. In 2004 she released "Crystal Shoe," a collection of mostly original songs inspired by the mythical traditions of Ireland and Europe. As a vocal teacher Mary specializes in Irish singing and in making Gaelic lyrics accessible to non-Gaelic speakers through her phonetic/aural system. In 2006 she formed a Gaelic Christmas choir “Cór Ainglí” (Angelic Choir) in Santa Cruz California. The success of this choir was followed by the founding of another choir in St. Louis MO with choir director Dennis Wells in 2007. Her latest album entitled "A Gaelic Christmas" showcases these original arrangements, performed by Mary in her preferred multi-track style, along with powerful support from harp, cellos, bodhrán and other acoustic instruments. Mary currently performs as part of the California based Celtic Americana band Camogie, as well as working with harper Steve Coulter to present a program of song and story from the Irish tradition called "Celtic Magic." She is designing a Gaelic Christmas Choral package which should be available later this year and teaches Irish Gaelic singing and language in the Bay Area California where she lives. Musicians she has worked with over the years include: Robin Bullock, Danny Carnahan, William Coulter, Steve Coulter, Todd Denman, Robin Flower, Steafan Hanigan, Neal Hellman, Anne Lister, Libby Mc Laren, Barry Phillips, Shelley Phillips, Robin Petrie, Martin and Jessica Simpson and Radim Zenkl.

Member Since:

October 17, 2007

Members:

Mary McLaughlin

Influences:

Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Leonard Cohen, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Clannad, Moving Hearts, Gearoidín Bhreathnach, Rita Connolly, Kate Bush, Iarla O Lionaird, Afro- Celts, Peter Gabriel, Yes, John Tams, Beethoven, Medieval Chant, Bulgarian singing, Choral Music, Sacred Music, Sean-Nós singers from my childhood summers in Donegal whose names I never knew.

Sounds Like:

Enya, Loreena Mc Kennit (at least that's what I'm told!)

Record Label:

Various