Mary McCreary: The Shelter Years - Butterflies in Heaven / Jezebel ... plus (1973-75)

Mary McCreary, aka Mary Rand/Mary Russell, was born on February 8, 1951 in San Francisco, California. At the young age of 10 she sang with the folk group The Limelighter's on "Run Little Donkey Run" which was featured on the album Through Children's Eye's. As a teenager, in 1963, Mary sang with the gospel group The Heavenly Tones. She recorded an album with the Tones in 1966, that was produced by Reverend James Cleveland in Los Angeles. By 1967 Mary was doing studio work for Sly and the Family Stone, a venture that lead to the formation of Little Sister in 1969. Little Sister, comprised of Vaetta Stewart, Tiny Mouton, and Mary McCreary, appeared on Dick Clark's TV show American Band Stand. Between 1971 and 1972 she toured and recorded with major recording artists. Mary's debut solo album Butterflies in Heaven was released in 1973, when she signed with Shelter Recording Company Inc. 1974 was a busy year for Mary McCreary, as she released her second solo album on Shelter Records, Jezebel and she also recorded with Leon Russell on the album Will o' the Wisp. In 1975 Mary and Leon Russell released The Wedding Album,and were the Musical Guest on Saturday Night Live May 15 1976. Followed by Make Love to the Music in 1977. Mary Russell/McCreary released her third solo album, Heart of Fire, in 1978 on Warner Bros Records. In 1980 Mary accompanied Bob Dylan on the Saved Tour. Mary McCreary released her CD Still Together in 2005. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her upcoming album Love and Praise. Highlights on her two Shelter LPs include 'My Soul Is Satisfied', 'Butterflies in Heaven', 'Jessie and Bessie', 'God Is Always Near', 'Please Don't Go', 'Soothe Me', 'Mighty Clouds of Joy', 'High Flyin' Me' and 'Singing the Blues'. I added as a bonus track one of the songs of Leon Russell's Will o' the Wisp album (1975), 'Laying Right Here in Heaven', where Mary collaborates singing elaborately overdubbed lead vocals. http://www.myspace.com/

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