Mari Wilson - Emotional Glamour (Beehive) Although Mari Wilson has remained busy over the years, both in theatre and releasing records, it’s her early ‘80s heyday that most of a certain age will remember. Her gravity defying beehive and big singles such as “Just What I Always Wanted” and “Cry Me A River” made her a Smash Hits poster fave and meant she was rarely off the radio. Her live shows were pure entertainment and her 12 piece, fully choreographed backing band, The Wilsations, helped fill the big halls. Well, now she’s back with an album that comes with high hopes and some anticipation - but it may well end in disappointment. There’s always a market for the pop-soul that Wilson excels at, but there’s an awful lot of competition around at the moment and comebacks are rarely the easiest of trick to pull off. To complicate matters, there’s another beehive on the block now, self-destructing as I type, but who may just be the real thing. You can’t help but wish Wilson luck, and there are some fine songs on Emotional Glamour, but deep down, one can’t help but feel that that was then and this is now. Still, there’s much here for the old fans to enjoy, together with a barnstorming, month-long tour of the provinces, which kicks off on the 1st October. Check out the website for details: www.mariwilson.co.uk Rob F. Next