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Mari Wilson

Jools welcomes Mari Wilson to the studio to sing live and pick some favourite records.

Mari Wilson joins Jools and the band, singing live and picking her favourite records

Mari Wilson (The Neasden Queen of Soul) first arrived on the scene in the early eighties with her skyscraper beehive hairdo, bizarre sense of fashion and fully choreographed twelve piece band The Wilsations. Mari's live shows were spoken about as an event - pure entertainment.

In 1982 Mari's records began entering the charts and she soon had six hit singles, the biggest being 'Just What I've Always Wanted and 'Cry Me A River', both taken from her album 'Showpeople'.

In the mid-eighties after constant touring of the UK, Europe and the United States, Mari reduced the size of her band (and her hairdo!), changing direction with a more intimate show. With regular appearances at venues such as Ronnie Scotts, The South Bank and festivals alongside legends BB King and Ray Charles.

Mari has also appeared in musical theatre, playing Nickie Pignatelli in Phil Willmott's production of Sweet Charity, Annabel in the black comedy, The Chainsaw Manicure and was the obvious choice to play Dusty Springfield in Dusty The Musical, which toured number one venues throughout the UK.

57 minutes

Last on

Mon 4 Apr 2016 23:00
BBC Radio 2

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Music Played

  • Wynonie Harris

    Shake That Thing

    • A Whole Lotta Shakin Goin' On.
    • Fantastic Voyage.
    • 23.

  • Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee

    Bad Blood

    • The Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee.
    • Proper Box.
    • 5.

  • Ian Dury

    Wake Up And Make Love With Me

    • The Hit Label.

  • Benny Goodman

    Grand Slam

    • Jazz Greats -Jazz Guitar.
    • Marshall Cavendish.
    • 1.

  • Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Band

    Just To Be Home With You

  • Paul Jones

    I've Been A Bad Bad Boy

    • The Ultimate 60's Collection (Various.
    • Castle.

  • Paul Jones

    Don't Go To Strangers

    • Suddenly I Like It.
    • Continental Blue.
    • 8.

  • Mari Wilson

    Don't Sleep in the Subway

    • Pop Deluxe.
    • Welbeck Music.
    • 7.

  • Peggy Lee

    The Folks Who Live On The Hill

    • Great Ladies Of Song - Peggy Lee.
    • Capitol.

  • Mari Wilson, Jools Holland & Band

    I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

  • Mari Wilson

    White Horses

    • Pop Deluxe.
    • Welbeck Music.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 4 Apr 2016 23:00
    BBC Radio 2