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Dexys/Dexys Midnight Runners
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You have a treat in store! A faultlessly-written and detailed memoir of one of the hardest-working and dedicated musicians around.
And, apart from my tattered 1978 copy of the NME Encyclopaedia of Rock, this is the only book I’ve ever read to feature Groundhogs’ drummer Ken Pustelnik.
I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts.
And I’ve just committed the business end of a ton to score two tickets for Dexys’ Kelvingrove Bandstand (Glasgow) evening on 1 June.
And good old Kelvin’s going to be all right.
Mod
Yes, I read your review of Helen's book which has thoroughly whetted my appetite
Mod
http://www.dexys.org/bridge.html
The Bridge DVD (82 Shaftesbury Theatre) needs an extended re-issue. It contains none of the first album material since EMI wouldn’t license it. Now that it’s all on the live CD in the Too Rye Ay remaster box set, it seems that EMI’s not standing in its way any more, but demand probably wouldn’t justify the effort. There is also word that the footage has been lost. Curses.
Mod
I really enjoyed it
I saw her talk about it in a tiny venue in Worthing so can confirm she's every bit as lovely as she comes across in the book
So much great Dexys detail in there too - sent me back to so many of the great tunes
Mod
http://www.dexys.org/coming_to_town.html
Not officially, but YouTube has quite a bundle of 85/86 live and demo recordings, as I remember.
Mod
“Dexys live 85” in YouTube search brings up something of a mother lode.
Mod
Dexys are proud to announce a new live album, to be released on 24th May 2024. These beautiful 3LP and 2CD sets include a full performance of highly acclaimed album The Feminine Divine, as well as plenty of Dexys classics including Come On Eileen, Geno, Jackie Wilson Said, Plan B and many more.
Those who pre-order album bundles will also receive a setlist signed by the full live band, while stocks last.
Pre-order and learn more at https://dexysofficial.com/
The triple vinyl version and the double CD (with a bonus freebie of the Liverpool gig set list autographed) arrived here last week. My elder daughter and I also attended a quite delightful gig at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Bandstand ten days ago. Kevin in quite affable humour.
Mod
To be honest, it’s an upgrade on the individual show recordings released during last autumn’s UK tour, which were delightfully raw. There’s a bit more fairy dust been sprinkled production-wise and it’s not obviously over-compressed. Nice packaging, and the blue colouring of the three LPs is very tasteful, although they’ll probably just go in The Collection unplayed and my daughters can fight over it all when I float away to The Great Library In The Sky.
I get the whole “restless creative spirit” thing, as well as the urge to try new approaches, but... man, this is truly shit...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTqPe...
Mod
I don’t mind the laid back arrangement though
It sometimes seems like Kevin will sling his entire back catalogue against the wall to see what sticks. This one didn’t.I agree with you -- the song holds up to a slowed arrangement, but fails to work in this instance.
I didn’t see Dexys live until the 2003 tour. On the 12 (?) occasions I’ve seen them, Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, usually in the middle of Until I Believe In My Soul, has always been taken on at a slightly slower pace, with a more regretful feel. They’re Old Soul Rebels now, and freely admit it. They did this version in Glasgow on 1 June, and it was as tastefully-delivered and well-received as ever. On this take, Sean Read’s harmony co-vocal is well out, for starters. I also don’t see the front-of-stage wedge monitors they still rely on even if Kevin (at least) wears in-ear monitors. Just a bad night I’d say.
It certainly seems like a bad night to me... nothing about it appeals.Not so sure about your Old Soul Rebels explanation. I've seen LOADS of artists much older, and nothing was lost in their presentation or performance. Ian Hunter, John Cale, Clifton Chenier, Jerry Lee Lewis... the list goes on and on. I sometimes think that Kevin has forgotten what made those songs so great in the first place.
That’s not what I meant. Their version of Old, which doesn’t seem to feature these days, saw Pete and Kevin change the POV of it to accept that they are now the protagonists, but there’s no let up of energy in Plan B, and a welcome I’ll Show You, but Rowland has taken time recently to reflect on This One Last Wild Waltz and explain that he has now come to realise what it is really about (the backdrop slides of his father tell all).He’s always shied away from the revival revue temptation, and since 1982 has always been re-interpreting and re-arranging his material, sometimes for the better (the 82-83 There There, My Dear), or more questionably (the 2013 Latin version of Geno).
It’s still as soulful as ever, believe me.
There's not a single band or artist with a long career who hasn't lost me at a certain point. Or at certain points. There's just no connecting with Kevin's latest iteration, but I'm hoping that will change with the next phase.And yes, that Latin-tinged Geno was an enormous misstep, in my book.
Mod
https://youtu.be/N4qk4jjYYnk?si=W4X6A...
Kevin Rowland on Sausages, Cult Fame and Life After Dexy’s! | Down The Caff (Ep.5)
They're SUCH lovely people, though! Always incredibly hospitable when we're in Pellicci's.
Mod
Next time you’re up in the smoke, you must pop in. For us, no trip to London is complete without an hour or two there.
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Bless Me Father: A life story
by
Kevin Rowland
Available from July 10, 2025
He takes us from the juvenile courts of his troubled teenage years to the early days of the New Romantic scene and then onto his huge chart successes with Dexys Midnight Runners in the early 1980s, before a terrifying series of self-sabotaging events left him in the wilderness in the 1990s. But ever resilient in the face of adversity, Kevin found his way back.
Someone on the Dexys online group claims that signed copies are available in Rough Trade. Not sure about that. I’ll certainly be asking to be put in the tombola for a review copy for the mag.
Mod
I’m keen to read your review David
I’ve already whispered in the editor’s ear that I’d be a willing critic. I’ve just reviewed a book on the Groundhogs which was far more interesting than expected. It did cost me a score and more for the very tasty LP on which the ‘hogs backed John Lee Hooker in 1964 after I’d spun it several times on Spotify.
Nothing is for free except oxygen, although I expect La Reeves may have her eye on that.
Mod
I hope your sweet whisperings bear fruit
Either way, looking forward to the only review that matters
Waterstones have signed copies of the books for pre-order if anyone is interested.
Thanks Susan. I’m hoping that the editor of the mag to which I contribute turns up a review copy for me. An interview with KR would be a bonus! I met him briefly in 2003, but we just talked about football. It’ll be interesting to see if it’s his work ir if it’s been ghosted. I’d expect that he’d want total control given his history….
Mod
He’s left school but still living with his abusive Dad
Very dark indeed - talk about warts and all
I'm also reading Johnny Marr's book - also from an Irish family but his folks were far more easy going and he had a lot of love, emotional support and freedom. It's night and day.
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5
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)
Pauline Murray's book....
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5
*
I'm now on to....
What's She Like
by
Helen O'Hara
Helen O'Hara decided she was going to be a violinist at the age of nine. Her violin was her badge of honour. She was brought up on a mix of classical and pop music, but it was pop that ruled her heart. A prodigious talent, she rose through the ranks in youth orchestras, but at seventeen she rebelled, left school and joined a progressive rock band. At twenty-one, she was back in college studying classical violin, where she was headhunted by Dexys Midnight Runners. Declining an offer from the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, she joined Dexys instead. Weeks later 'Come On Eileen' was number one in the UK charts.
What's She Like provides a vivid account of the euphoric experience of recording and touring the album Too-Rye-Ay, and the tumultuous story of the making of Dexys' masterpiece album, Don’t Stand Me Down. After Dexys disbanded in 1986, Helen started a long working relationship with Tanita Tikaram and recorded two solo instrumental albums, featuring acclaimed pianist Nicky Hopkins, before taking a break from music to raise her family. The break extended for 23 years. Once her two sons had grown, driven by forces almost beyond her control, she dusted down her violin and began the hard journey to once again make music the centre of her life, honouring the commitment she had made to herself aged nine.