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Miss America

Mary Margaret O'Hara's first - and only - full album release has long been one of my very favourite things. It's one of a handful of records I've owned on cassette, CD and vinyl. I first bought it soon after its release on the strength of a very effusive review in Time Out magazine - having also meanwhile heard the lead single 'Body's In Trouble' on the radio.

In difficult times it's been a solace; in good times a joy. It's a powerful medicine that I try not to take too often, but which has seldom failed to do me good. My several favourite tracks include 'The Year in Song', 'Dear Darling', 'A New Day', 'When You Know Why You're Happy', 'Help Me Lift You Up' and 'Keeping You In Mind'. 

I was fortunate enough to see MMO'H on her one and only UK tour, at the Dominion Theatre in London, an occasion that - as I found out only last year - was recorded for posterity. I picked up my current vinyl copy of the album in a charity shop in 2015. It has a torn sleeve but the disc is in good shape. I recently replaced a CD re-issue with an '88 original. I also have a vinyl copy of O'Hara's 'Christmas E.P.'

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