There’s an old story in Celtic folklore about a group of monks who, in around 890 A.D., pushed off the coast of Ireland in a boat with no oars. They traveled light, packing just a week’s worth of provisions and their faith. Their destination? Wherever the waves carried them, and that is where they would serve.

"I think it’s kind of what I’m doing, just kind of going without knowing," says singer/songwriter Mary Bue, sitting on a piano bench in her Windom Park duplex apartment.

The Princeton, Minn., native lived in Birmingham, England, Providence, R.I., and most recently Duluth, before she came ashore in Northeast Minneapolis last fall. She’s following her art where it takes her, and was already considering the title of her new CD when someone told her the story about the Celtic pilgrims.

"That totally congealed the CD title for me," Bue says.

Boat With No Oars will be released next month with a CD release party on April 7 at the Acadia Cafe.

The Celtic monks eventually arrived on the southwestern tip of Great Britain, where they came to King Alfred. When Bue landed she met Tom Herbers of Third Ear Studio in Minneapolis, where she completed tracks for the album that were started in Duluth.

The Northeast Beat met up with Mary over the weekend to talk about the new album and how she got her start. She also treated us to an exclusive live performance. "Cypress Hill" is a hidden track Boat With No Oars, and "Cosmopolitan" is a new song since the album was finished. Click the video below to watch. Dan Haugen

 Email This Article  Print This Article
Filed under: Music, Windom Park