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Dexys/Dexys Midnight Runners
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Mark
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Apr 14, 2023 08:05AM
Same here, but... as opposed to the Young Soul Rebels and Too Ry Aye iterations of Dexys, this new one finds Kevin boasting a look that’s infinitely more difficult for the more impressionable amongst us to emulate.
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Still swithering over getting aboard the tour in Glasgow in September. I hate the whole online ticket-buying experience, and from online comments, the “priority booking” for those who’d committed to pre-paying for the new record and merch three months ahead of its release, was pretty shambolic. E-ticketing, and ‘they’ll arrive at least three days before the event’ scares the crap out of me. The whole backing tapes/synth-heavy thing is also a concern. I’ll ponder over the weekend.
It does all feel like an element of gamble is involved.
Mod
Nigeyb wrote: "I’m still reeling from that album cover 😱"Same here. Maybe it would make more sense had they decided to title the album “Crimes Against Graphic Design.” But they didn’t.
Mod
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlLtV...
Unusual vocal stylings but hopefully it's a grower
It’s VERY similar to the 93 demo of She’s Got A Giggle which became She’s Got A Wiggle on One Day I’m Going To Soar in 2012.
I listened to this on a three hour bus journey yesterday. Nothing new, but good to hear Carlo in such a positive frame of mind. Chris Difford is a diamond. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Z6c...
On first listen, I think it’s an atrocity. And I didn’t hear anything at all that left me wanting to hear it a second time.
Mod
I had a similar reaction Mark but was being diplomatic. I will give it a few more plays though as I often find his tunes inveigle their way into my heart
PS: just home from a talk with Cathi Unsworth describing her new Goth book - Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth. She was on top form. She was with Doyle Wesley who wrote the new book about Some Bizarre records - Conform To Deform: The Weird & Wonderful World Of Some Bizzare
You’re still young, Nige -- I’m an old man, with no time for diplomacy!I also thought the lyrics were juvenile, like grade school poetry. Not to mention there being something deplorable about a 70 year-old man addressing his recent revelation that women are our equals. Better late than never, I suppose, but then far better yet to never have held sexist views in the first place.
Really glad you got to see Cathi, and doubly glad you enjoyed it. She’s a lovely person, which I’m sure came across over the course of the evening. Unfortunately, my interests lay away from Goth, so I very much doubt I’ll be picking her new book up. Oddly enough, John Robb also has a new book out on the history of Goth. Needless to say, I shan’t be reading that one, either.
Mod
"You’re still young, Nige -- I’m an old man, with no time for diplomacy!"
Thanks 🤠
Young at heart I hope
Four more years til I qualify for my free bus pass
Mod
https://musicsaves.co.uk/product/the-...
The Defining Ten is where an artist/creative is invited to take us on a musical dot to dot journey of the tracks which have led them to who they are today. These could be the first song they have a memory of, first purchase, first song they learnt to play, the track which opened doors, the track which closed doors, a track which inspired and lead to a new musical direction – so expect a variety of tracks from themselves and other artists. These tracks will be played in turn – either from vinyl, cd or streamed – and discussed with the artist. The evening will end with a unique performance and chance to meet the artist afterwards.
On Saturday 17th of June for a special matinee Defining Ten event we bring HELEN O’HARA of the beloved DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS to Worthing
At the age of 9 Helen O’Hara decided she was going to be a violinist. Brought up on a mixture of both classical and pop music her heart was ruled by the allure of pop. After rising through youth orchestras in her teens she rebelled, joined a prog rock band and then was later headhunted to join Dexys Midnight Runners, declining an offer from the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra to do so. Within a few weeks Dexys’ “Come On Eileen” was topping the charts and became one of the most iconic hits of the 80s.
Helen stayed with Dexys over the coming years with the Too-Rye-Ay tour and the tumultuous recording of their now recognised masterpiece 3rd album Don’t Stand Me Down, with her relationship with Kevin Rowland inspiring the classic track “What’s She Like.”
After Dexys disbanded she worked closely with Tanita Tikaram, wrote two instrumental albums featuring Nicky Hopkins on piano and then took a break from the music industry to raise a family. After 23 years the pop heart still continued to beat, so she dusted down her violin and returned to the world of music, reconnecting with Tanita Tikaram, performing with Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, writing her acclaimed memoir What’s She Like and reuniting with Dexys, working on their Let The Record Show album and performing with them for various live and media performances, including those celebrating the 40th anniversary of Too-Rye-Ay in 2022.
We are honoured to have Helen join us in Worthing for a special matinee Defining Ten, where we will discuss and listen to the 10 songs that have made her who she is, followed by a reading from What’s She Like.
That’ll be a good night. She tells a good tale if her book is anything of a measure. Very insightful and comes across as a very intelligent and thoughtful musician. I have succumbed and have bought tickets for Dexys’ Glasgow show in September.
Mod
In Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?!, we quiz an artist on their own career to see how much they can remember – and find out if the booze, loud music and/or tour sweeties has knocked the knowledge out of them. This week: Dexys (fka Dexys Midnight Runners) frontman Kevin Rowland takes the ultimate test
https://www.nme.com/features/music-fe...
Nigeyb wrote: "New song...Saw/heard that one this morning and, sadly, the whole appeal escapes me completely. Just... here's wishing them well with it, but it’s not for me.
Am I the only one who completely missed this towards the end of last year?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REx_J...
Mod
Mod
According to an email I have recently been been sent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahRgV...
Mod
I'm curious about David's reaction, especially as he's plugged into the hardcore fanbase. What do you think?
What about you Mark?
Anyone else?
It’s a pretty firm “no” from me, sorry to say. I’ll try approaching it again, at some point, in a different state of mind, but I don’t really hold out much hope of ever connecting with it in any ways similar to my connections with other material from his catalogue.
Mod
It makes me feel quite uncomfortable, not something I've ever felt with any of his previous music.
After the song The Feminine Divine was release, this was what was written about it on YouTube...
After stating his original macho position in the opening track "The One That Loves You"; then admitting that it was a phoney position in the second song "It's Alright Kevin"; subsequently committing himself to change in track three, "I'm Going To Get Free;" and feeling he’s moving forward in track four, "Coming Home"; the protagonist now examines his relationship with women in track five, "The Feminine Divine". He's hit with the realisation that his attitude and actions have been completely wrong.
"Overcome with regret and at last glimpsing how women might actually feel, the man gets honest and admits how afraid of women he has been, and how fear has driven so many of his actions. He now sees and acknowledges women’s inherent power: if anything, women are superior; they are goddesses. He sincerely pledges to be different in the future.
"In the track that follows, "My Goddess Is", the protagonist enters into a relationship in a completely different way to how he would have in the past. But that's a whole other part of the story..." - Kevin Rowland on "The Feminine Divine"
It's all of a piece, but can't imagine this connecting with too many people. Not because his analysis is wrong, or indeed it's wrong to regret past behaviour, but I get the impression he thinks this is all quite revelatory which is something I don't believe many listeners will share
Mod
Sonic proof that some things are best left in the confines of your therapist’s office and not worked through in the recording studio.And yes, I reacted the same way to the dominatrix -- perhaps our Kev is still in the learning process?
As for your other good point -- once again, I’m in complete agreement with you. I never had to learn to respect females, or to regard them as our equals. I always did, and I always regarded them as such. So, no, it’s not something that I share or can relate to.
Mod
https://youtu.be/E7D9Scahneg
Dexys 'The Feminine Divine' is a story of sexuality and self discovery. As the songs progress the album builds the story of the main character as he gradually comes to terms with who he is.
Dexy's Midnight Runners co-founder Kevin Rowland caught up with Noise11's Paul Cashmere to tell the story of the album as well as the 40+ year history of Dexys (formerly Dexy's Midnight Runners).
Mod
The band are great and those lucky enough to be at the concert were clearly having a great time
The interview with Miranda Sawyer was interesting too
Well worth a watch
There are a few good moments on the first half of the new album -- good, though not great -- but, man, the second side strikes me as pure un-listenable filler. That said, I have a lot of respect for Kevin’s restless sense of reinvention, but can't imagine any discerning listener being completely on board for every step of his entire career-long ride.
Mod
I'm a bit more efusive about the first four tunes which, to varying degrees, I really like
Thereafter it's less compelling, bordering on downright awkward
All the sexual submission stuff I can do without
Fair play to Kevin for putting his sexual preferences front and centre, and I expect it's all making him very happy, especially as it seems to be wrapped up with guilt for being a toxic man earlier in his life, but it's not for me.
The titles say it all...
The Feminine Divine
My Goddess Is
Goddess Rules
My Submission
They make me cringe at the moment
Perhaps I'll find more to admire and appreciate after more listens?
What about you David? What do you think? What's the general feeling from the rest of the Dexys hardcore?
Well put, Nigel. I’ll live with the album for a period of time before issuing my final verdict, but I can’t really see evolving into a fan of the second side.
This past week, Dexys announced their first stateside tour in forty years. Unfortunately, the ticket prices for the NYC gig are ridiculously high -- especially for a band who, like it or not, were never anything but a One Hit Wonder in America. Additionally, from the few bits of recent live footage that I’ve turned up online, it looks like the live presentation is just Kevin, plus the Baldy-In-A-Skirt doing something (or other) on a laptop. Is this duo the sum total of the Dexys touring party? If so, they’re truly taking the piss with ticket prices.
Take 2. The bloody app just blanked as I was 150 words in. Grrrrr.The band line-up will be Mike Timothy on keyboard, Sean Read on keyboard and sax, a drummer, a trombone player (not Jim), a fiddle player who will also be Rowland’s vocal foil for the theatrical first half of the show. That looks like bass and guitar will be on tape.
The album’s good, but not as ground-breaking or earth-moving as the fanbase claims. As previously discussed, the subject isn’t wholly-contrived as Rowland appears to have had some sort of epiphany about equality.
I’ll attend one of the shows where the ticket price is expensive, but in line with what passes for ‘normal’ these days. I’m not expecting it to be anything as exciting as the previous ten shows I’ve seen.
Thanks for all the clarification, David. I must humbly cop to not knowing what passes for ‘normal’ gig tickets these days, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if venues were doing their bit to inflate prices in attempt to recoup their own pandemic-era financial shortfalls. Some things are affordable, yet not justifiable.
As for the album itself, I listened to it two or three times upon release, but haven’t returned to it. Not sure whether that speaks to my busy schedule, or to a lack of hearing anything previously that would make me eager to re-visit.
On the other hand, I spun Searching For The Young Soul Rebels a few times this week!
Hi Mark. Ticket pricing is crazy these days, and my days of taking the risk in attending a show where a known name with whose material I’m unfamiliar are gone. The sterile arena halls and stadia used for major names are a turn-off too. Fortunately, we have a handful of dedicated promoters in town who book good quality acts and charge reasonably. I’m afraid that post-lockdown I still have to re-capture my enthusiasm for getting off my butt three or four times a month to attend local gigs. I doubt that I ever will.I’ve only once listened to TFD all the way through, and that was when putting it into my iTunes stash yesterday, and fiddling (to mix a metaphor) with guitars whilst Kevin crooned in the background. He certainly has put some praiseworthy hard graft into getting his voice back, but my familiarity with the material in the first half still makes me wonder how far it has developed from the demos.
I haven’t listened to any if the previous albums since my remixed Too-Rye Ay arrived last year. That is some sort of evidence to hold up David Hepworth’s theory that “we rarely listen to our favourite records”!
We’ll be going to our first post-pandemic gig in a few weeks’ time -- the inimitable Dr. John Cooper Clarke. Ticket prices were a mere fraction of those for Dexys.And for the record -- no pun intended -- this ain’t the first time I’ve heartily disagreed with Hepworth!
Mod
Pretty much that, but Jesus H Christ on a girl’s bike, the hooks are almost instant earworms, even on the “side 2” tracks.
The first four songs -- strictly as songs -- are fine, but the production just seems really flat and clinical and lacking, to me. Maybe it’s a whole different story when listening to the vinyl issue.
Mod
Everything sounds great to me as I grew up with a crappy little transistor radio 🤠
I’ve listened only on external PC speakers and on my Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids (what a drag it is getting old), and there’s a bit of a lack of body about it via those outputs. According to the credits, there is bass guitar on tracks 1-5, and 8. My car is the usual benchmark listening booth, and I have a 6-hour round trip coming up on Monday during which I’ll test it and the Cherry Red Halcyon Days box (“60s mid, R&B, soul & freakbeat nuggets).
I’ll cop to having damaged my hearing over the decades to the point where I’d be lying if I claimed to be able to discern format from format. But listening to the album on my iMac, using the internal speakers, it just sounds thin and weedy, and not at all robust or full. Will have to hook up the external Bluetooth speaker and see whether or not that makes a diff.
Well. Despite all my misgivings, doubts, and near-apathy, I attended last night’s Dexys Glasgow show. Online reviews of previous shows in York, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle on social media had been ecstatic, but I am always a bit wary of my fellow fans’ abilities to be critical.
Here’s the thing. Last night was my 11th Dexys show in 20 years. I do not exaggerate in saying that it was probably the best experience of all 11.
The album takes on new life in its being performed, and if some of the ‘acting’ is a bit ham, the musicianship, especially Rowland’s voice, was outstanding. Even if it’s been rehearsed to breaking point as is KR’s way, there was no hint of staleness or complacency. The second half was a mini-riot of classic Dexys about which the band seemed 100% committed and passionate.
I’m glad I have been proved wrong, and have already told the kid in Canada that I’ll fund her ticket for the Toronto performance. Would purchase again.
Mod
I’m gutted I have to miss the Brighton show. My mum’s 90th birthday week away. No getting out of that.
Glad to discover it was so good
Thanks for sharing the intel. Who would have guessed this incarnation would be the best yet?
I know! It even got to the stage where I forgot to look for Pete or Giorgio or Rhino or Julian or John RIP or Andy bossing the 4-strings!Best wishes to your mum on a big occasion. Although she’d probably not thank you for it, the lyrics of Old sum up how we should treat those who have seen and experienced that which has helped shape us.
Mod
It is with sadness that we announce that - due to circumstances beyond our control - Dexys’ November tour of the USA and Canada will no longer take place
Dexys were really looking forward to playing for their North American fans, and are aware that those who bought tickets will be as disappointed by this news as we are. Refunds are available at point of purchase
Dexys hope to return to North America as soon as they are able to
Additionally, our show at St. David's Hall, Cardiff - originally postponed for safety reasons due to RAAC in the venue - cannot be rescheduled. All options were explored to reschedule this performance, but unfortunately it just wasn't possible. Refunds will be issued promptly by the promoter
Dexys have just completed a triumphant UK and Ireland tour performing The Feminine Divine Live! and are looking forward to next month's tour of mainland Europe
The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society
Books mentioned in this topic
Bless Me Father: A life story (other topics)Bless Me Father: A life story (other topics)
Bless Me Father: A life story (other topics)
What's She Like (other topics)
Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kevin Rowland (other topics)Kevin Rowland (other topics)
Pauline Murray (other topics)
Helen O'Hara (other topics)
