Mari Wilson: Biography

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Genre:

Rock Music

Decades Active:

1980's

Mari Wilson made her name in England crooning orchestrated, often schmaltzy '50s/early-'60s pop, with an appropriately kitschy image to go along with her music -- beehive hairdo, formal evening wear, mink stole, etc. However, the act wasn't all tongue-in-cheek; Wilson plainly enjoyed what she was singing. The act was formulated with Tot Taylor, a classic pop aficionado and solo artist in his own right; Taylor signed her to his Compact Organisation label upon meeting her and wrote most of her material under the pen name Teddy Johns. Wilson had several minor hit singles in 1982, including "Beat the Beat," "Baby It's True," and the Top Ten "Just What I Always Wanted"; her definitive single, a torchy cover of Julie London's "Cry Me a River," appeared on the 1983 album Showpeople. Wilson toured the world with a backing group called the Wilsations, which featured Julia Fordham, and Compact Organisation issued several cassette-only releases, including the live Born Lucky. Upon returning from her tour, Wilson moved away from her early kitsch appeal towards straight-ahead jazz-pop, performing at clubs with her own quartet beginning in 1985. She also supplied vocals for the soundtrack of the Ruth Ellis biographical film Dance With a Stranger in 1987. Wilson continues to perform jazz at clubs in the U.K. and recorded a jazz-oriented comeback album in 1991, The Rhythm Romance.

- Steve Huey, All Music Guide