About Proud Mary

"I remember early spring, I remember everything..." And early Spring 2001 it was when Proud Mary first appeared on the scene. With their roots lying in Manchester and named after a Creedance Clearwater Revival song, Proud Mary's first single "Very Best Friend" was just a small taste of the infectious songs that the band had to offer. Limited to just 500 copies on one sided 7" vinyl it was later followed by another limited single in the form of "All Good Things". The two limited singles were just a taster of the band's glorious debut album "The Same Old Blues" which was produced by Noel Gallagher in just 10 ten days and released on Gallagher's very own Sour Mash records in the summer of 2001. To date, Proud Mary have been the only band to be signed to Gallagher's label and this in turn brought an immediate backlash from some areas of the press who weren't willing to listen to the music itself and bracketed the band as Oasis-cast offs. But these were simply the people who hadn't taken the time to listen to the album itself and appreciate just what a masterpiece of a record it was. 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. Three years down the line and a lot has changed in the world of Proud Mary. Members have been and gone but what still remains is the powerful nucleus of Paul and Greg. The personal may have changed but the passion to play and make music is stronger than ever and new influences have emerged to make new record "Love and Light" which is a lot stronger, tighter and experimental than the debut album. Shades of old are there to be heard along with more recent influences including The Verve, The Beta Band and My Morning Jacket. What stands out the most is the passion and appreciation for the older influences which merge perfectly with the new sounds to create a record with a warm and glowing feeling. The tracks mix soul, blues, gospel and of course good old rock'n'roll. The current line up is stronger than ever and the new album is out through Redemption Records. Although at one stage the future of Proud Mary may have seen murky, it is beyond a doubt that the future has never been clearer. The new band have a new album with a whole new sound and they are just waiting to fill the lives, hearts and souls of many, many people with what is a truly great album. By Ruff 2004