Jay Douglas
Hi Mary and co...loving the new album super stuff as normal..great choice of tunes too.. Can't wait to hear these tunes live.well done on another classic blues album 👍👍
A limited edition of The Mary Stokes Band's new, independently released album 'Let 'Er Roll!' is now available on Compact Disc to buy through Bandcamp! This CD present The Mary Stokes Band album 'Let 'Er Roll!' with the very best of digital printing technology, ensuring the CDs are superior quality, with industry grade digital printing.
Includes unlimited streaming of Let 'Er Roll!
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 7 days
Purchasable with gift card
€10EURor more
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
After the remarkable international success of our 2021 album, ‘Comin’ Home’, we were presented with an age old dilemma: How do we follow it? Our response was to relaunch our seminal album ‘Clouds In My Heart, Live in Dublin’ (1999) while we developed a plan for our next move.
Unintentionally, many of the same factors which had motivated the previous year’s recording session for ‘Comin’ Home’ were still in play, and they reasserted themselves. The continuation of Covid related issues restricted health, travel and touring for many musicians, including us. Key members of our band naturally drifted apart and needed to be replaced for a busy Summer performing schedule. We recruited the multi-talented Zamo Riffman to play bass guitar, and drummer extraordinaire Jay Oglesby, both of whom we had shared the stage with many times before.
Fully aware of the old adage about lightning never striking twice, we decided to try to attract it none the less. Returning to Displace Studios, we set up and began to run through some Blues shuffles to warm up and get a feel for playing together. We started with some material from our live set while the recording levels were dialled in. An hour later we were pleasantly surprised as songs by Little Walter, Big Walter, Muddy Waters and Otis Rush were already in the can. We tried a whimsical song that we often play live, Sid King’s 1955 Rockabilly hit ‘Let ‘Er Roll’ to which we added a spontaneous introduction describing a train pulling out of a station.
Feeling that we were then on a roll (so to speak) we took a short break, then returned invigorated to record ‘Blues On The Moon’, ‘As The Years Go Passing By’, ‘Too Many Drivers’ and other songs one after another.
We jammed a song by Sugar Pie De Santo, ‘Down In The Basement’, then quickly added our own version ‘On Suzy’s Rooftop’, inspired by our favourite place to hang out when we are in America. Before we left, we recorded two takes of ‘Sinnerboy’ in tribute to the great Irish Blues legend Rory Gallagher. Unable to decide if we preferred the energy of the first take, or the intensity of the second take, we included both versions here!
Our sincere thanks to everyone who supported our musical efforts during the past couple of years. We have been overwhelmed by the international interest, goodwill and airplay generated by our recent albums. A few standout champions include Ken Wallis, Stevie and Anne Connor of Blues and Roots Radio, which awarded ‘Comin’ Home’ ‘Blues Album of the Year 2021’. Thanks to Hot Press Magazine for their continued support and for naming ‘Comin’ Home’ ‘Best Live Blues Album’ in their annual awards. Special thanks to the many broadcasters across Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and elsewhere who encouraged us to play our part in the World Blues community. We want to thank Boris Totev, Chris Maidment for their valuable suggestions and advice, The European Blues Union, Hector Castillo of the EBC Ireland.
A very special thanks to radio presenter Bernard Clarke, who is an inspirational and committed supporter of our music. Regional radio support has been exceptional too, notably Nicky Woulfe and John O’Regan from LCCR; Noel Casey, Charlie Hussey and Sean Brophy and everyone at Dublin City FM.
A big thank you to Bree Harris for her fantastic vocals, Paul Fairclough, Pete Holidai at Pilgrim Sound, Owen McQuail of Some Neck Guitars, Steve Proctor of Sutherland Trading, Miguel Ruiz of Hot Press Magazine, Evan Walsh, Shane Fitzsimons, Bill Bergin, Dave Allen of Whelan’s, Conall Lee of Arthur’s Jazz and Blues Club, Paul Byrne of Howth Roots and Blues Festival, Barry O’Neill of Ballyshannon Rhythm and Blues Festival, Grainne Duffy, and Mary Coughlan. Finally, a sincere thank you to Paul Brady for his interest and encouragement.
credits
released January 19, 2023
MARY STOKES, vocals
SARAH MICHELLE, guitars and backing vocals
BREE HARRIS, dual vocal on ‘I’m A Stranger Here’ and second vocals on ‘Down in the Basement’, ‘On Suzy’s Rooftop’ and ‘Let ‘Er Roll’
BRIAN PALM, harmonica
ZAMO RIFFMAN, Bass
JAY OGLESBY, drums
DERMOT STOKES, piano
PETE HOLIDAI, second guitar on ‘Sinnerboy (Reprise)’and Lunar Melody on ‘Blues On The Moon’
HORNS arranged and recorded by Pete Holidai at Pilgrim Sound.
Recorded in Displace Studios, Dublin, December 16th 2021 by Tom Lee and Darren Roe. Mixed by Pete Holidai at Pilgrim Sound, Dublin. Mastered by Joe Chester.
CD reproduction Mid Atlantic Duplication.
Cover photos: Brian Palm
Design by Pat Pidgeon
Contact: themarystokesband.bandcamp.com
Mary Stokes Band: Ireland’s foremost award winning Blues Band, 25+ years established international reputation, performing
with Blues Greats - John Lee Hooker, BB King, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino & many more; Blues Festivals & Venues across Ireland, USA, Europe; Over 10 album releases; Mary's passionate, vocals, Featuring Brian Palm: harmonica, Sarah Michelle Guitar, Passionate, Powerful...more
Robin has lost none of his skill.. and still writes meaningful songs, in this case magnifcently sung my Sari Schorr. Fabulous tone, wicked vibrato as we have come to expect from Mister Trower. Can't wit to hear this live! sarahsussex
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