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Mae McKenna

Picture: Mae McKenna & John Martin:

Mae McKenna pictured with John Martin of "Contraband" and Tannahill Weavers

Mae McKenna began her solo career in 1975. She recorded three solo albums for Transatlantic Records Mae McKenna (1975), "Everything that Touches Me"(1976) and "Walk On Water"(1977). She also appeared on radio and TV both as a guest and featured performer. She was a founding member of "Contraband" which also featured John Martin of Tannahill Weavers.

Her debut solo album Mae McKenna focussed on dramatic ballads with lavish orchestrations and was a promising if pensive debut. "Everything that touches me" was a tasteful, melodic soft rock album with strong American West Coast country/rock leanings, Mae's exquisite voice wrapped itself round songs by Andrew Gold, Richard Thompson, Jackson Browne and Anna McGarrigle. "Crying in the rain", the single received extensive radio play. "Walk on Water" continued the Transatlantic soft rock sound with songs by Kim Carnes, David Paich (Toto writer of the 70's AOR hit "Hold the Line") and the Motown standard "What becomes of the broken hearted".

The late 70s and early 80s saw Mae McKenna enter the world of the session singer. She became one of the UK's top session voices. She sang on albums by Scritti Polotti, Climie Fisher , Pete Townshend and virtually every Stock Aitken and Waterman hit including albums by Rick Astley, Donna Summer, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Bananarama.

All the while Mae McKenna the solo performer was busy writing new material. In 1987 she recorded some home demos of original songs with a Celtic theme. Virgin records new age label ''Venture'' liked what they heard and signed Mae to a solo recording deal. "Nightfallers" recorded in Dublin and London was a stunning mix of Celtic traditional styles contemporary folk/ blues and new age influences. "Nightfallers" was produced by Mae herself and featured 99% original material and it's 1988 release preceded the Celtic/New Age bandwagon that was to ensue over the next ten years.

1992's "Mirage and Reality" covered similar ground and was released by Virgin in Japan. Mae toured Japan and she collaborated with William Jackson on "St Mungo A suite for Glasgow", and "Incholm". She toured with Peter Cairney opening for Steve Hackett (Ex Genesis) and then with Al Stewart. She also performed in the Glasgow folk festival and Mayfest with William Jackson while still doing session work.

1997 saw Mae writing new songs and contemplating recording a new solo album. Writing with John O' Kane a school friend from Airdrie the songs betrayed a Country/Bluegrass/Celtic sound. On her own initiative she made the journey to Nashville to record her latest solo album "Shore to Shore".

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Last update: Thursday, December 27, 2001 at 3:32:32 PM

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