“A lesson in songwriting” (Noel Gallagher)Here’s some rather maudlin garage blues rock goodness from a little known Manchester band that for anyone outside there it could seem that they have appeared from nowhere, but the truth is they formed in 1995 and played on the circuit the Northwest gig after gig to a select audience., with some tapes promptly forgotten and the band on the verge of splitting up, but they see a proper release when the good fella Noel Gallagher saved them from obscurity. There is a basement charm to their works that remind me a bit of some of the 70´s rock treasures I have featured for here. But never mind that Noel claims it is one of his favorite bands, or that it is regarded as one important band to came out of the fertile Manchester scene. Proud Mary´s albums are great recordings to put on when you are loafing at home like me now, at 3 A.M. pretending you are the protagonist of a dystopic film made in the ’70s. Sometimes stories like from this band can cause disconcerted in me, like how many ordinary people today, had amazing rock bands when they were in college and recorded something, but never got that deal they hoped for? What if Noel never hear that shit? It´s crazy, so crazy… damn
“I remember early spring, I remember everything…”And early Spring 2001 it was when Proud Mary first appeared on the scene.Proud Mary’s first single Very Best Friend was just a small taste of the infectious songs that the band had to offer. Limited copies were released on one sided 7” vinyl and later followed by another limited single in the form of All Good Things.The two singles were just a taster of the band’s glorious debut album The Same Old Blues which was produced by Noel Gallagher in just ten days and released on Gallagher’s very own Sour Mash records in the summer of 2001. Records these days are too often described as timeless but this debut offering was one which was truly that. The influences of Dylan, The Rolling Stones and The Faces were there to be heard yet at the same time the band had managed to create a rock’n’roll record that touched the heart and fed the soul of the current generation. Singer Greg Griffin’s vocals left you with hairs standing on the back of your neck and Paul Newsome’s song writing was so touching and personal that you almost felt part of the songs themselves. It was so easy to feel a true connection with what was a genuine rock’n’roll band playing songs about their lives and their dreams.The album was well received and as a result the band went on to secure support slots with none other than Oasis, Neil Young, The Stereophonics, Paul Weller and Ocean Colour Scene. This not only introduced many new fans to the music of Proud Mary but it helped to shape the band into the formation that it is today, a class live act.The 2nd album Love and Light included the indie chart hit Mexico and features work from Andy Rourke (The Smiths) and Gordon Raphael (The Strokes). A more experimental album than their debut, the tracks mix soul, blues, gospel and of course good old fashioned rock’n’roll, and if youve seen Proud Mary live then you’ll have to love Hats Off – right?After relocating to Los Angeles and setting up a film, publishing and music company City of Angels, Paul and Greg recorded solo albums, Electric and Palms + Glass Bottom Boat respectively.Since they first started out a lot has changed in the world of Proud Mary. Members have been and gone (but remained close), and travelled (and lived) in many different parts of the world but what has always stayed strong is the powerful nucleus of Paul and Greg. The passion to play and make quality music and to explore new directions have emerged to make new record “Ocean Park” another classic.Shades of old are there to be heard along with more recent influences including… well, work it out for yourself!…The superb new album is currently available on City of Angels via web website and iTunes.As we write Proud mary are in rehearsals for their Spring/Summer UK tour and looking forward to catching up with old friends and making many new ones!
Proud Mary – The Same Old Blues
Label:Sour Mash
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:UK & Europe
Released: 18 June 2001
Tracklist
1 Give A Little Love
2 Very Best Friend
3 Don’t It All Look Ugly
4 All Good Things
5 Somewhere Down The Line
6 Time On Our Hands
7 Just For You
8 Salt Of The Earth
9 Same Old Blues
Proud Mary – Love And Light
Label:Redemption Records
Format:CD, Album
Country:UK
Released:13 Sep 2004
Bass – Andy Rourke
Co-producer – Proud Mary
Drums, Bongos – Terry Kirkbride
Guitar – Wayne Edwards
Producer – Jan “Stan” Kybert, Wayne Edwards
Vocals – Greg Griffin
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Harmonica, Piano, Banjo, Organ [Pump Organ] – Paul Newsome
“Proud Mary´s albums are great recordings to put on when you are loafing at home like me now, at 3 A.M. pretending you are the protagonist of a dystopic film made in the ’70s.”
Fucking brilliant. I remember being disappointed with the first record, but I’m going back to listen to it because of this line.
MEDIAFIRE just blocked my account, so, years of work uploading music files, bye … I do not understand, mine is insignificant next to other blogs, Oh well, I’ll have to switch servers and begin to reupload the lost files … is like starting a blog from zero Tired? no way, with the excitement of starting a new job Greetings and Keep Calm , you will have available all again Cheers Pepe
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Thanks Pepe!
“Proud Mary´s albums are great recordings to put on when you are loafing at home like me now, at 3 A.M. pretending you are the protagonist of a dystopic film made in the ’70s.”
Fucking brilliant. I remember being disappointed with the first record, but I’m going back to listen to it because of this line.