Peggy Lee's trademark torch song is treated with a minimalist arrangement, allowing Coughlan’s vocal textures to mimic the dry, early-morning isolation of the lyrics.
Musically, "Red Blues" draws from a range of influences, including traditional Irish music, blues, and jazz. Coughlan's voice, with its distinctive timbre and phrasing, is reminiscent of jazz greats like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Her delivery is characterized by a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if she's sharing secrets with the listener. Mary Coughlan - Red Blues -2002-
Upon its release, Red Blues was met with positive reviews, particularly praising Coughlan's unique voice and interpretive courage. was enthusiastic, calling it "a potent collection that allows Coughlan's seeringly honest voice to straddle the hinterlands of jazz, blues and rock like few other Irish artist would dare". The review highlighted her "more contended and relaxed" demeanor, suggesting that a "consequent restraint has added new depth to her artistry". They also singled out the Tom Waits-esque "unsettling undertow" of the song "Portland". Peggy Lee's trademark torch song is treated with
) are frequently praised for their intimate, cabaret-style "waspish anecdotes". Buzz Magazine Her delivery is characterized by a sense of
Mary Coughlan's "Red Blues" has helped shape the Irish jazz scene, inspiring a new generation of Irish jazz musicians and vocalists. Her success has paved the way for other Irish artists to explore and express themselves within the genre.
