Dexys Album Front

The follow up to Dexys 2012 comeback album, One Day I’m Going To Soar, is an album that Kevin Rowland has wanted to make since the mid-1980’s and it has finally arrived.

Let The Record Show: Dexys Do Irish And Country Soul, (available now), had been intended to be a soundtrack of an entire album’s worth of Irish Folk songs, but somewhere along the line Rowland got distracted by the desire to throw in some pop covers and some work, whilst others don’t quite reach the mark.

Drawing on his and band member Sean Read’s Irish roots, the album is a combination of their interpretation of traditional folk standards such as Carrickfegus, which is a stand out track, and The Curragh Of Kildare, which is also pretty good. Women Of Ireland is evocative with its slow fiddle work and harmonica which is reminiscent of the old Dexys’ days.

The covers include an acceptable rendition of Rod Stewart’s You Wear It Well, Jerome Kern’s Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, the Bees Gees To Love Somebody, LeAnn Rimes’ How Do I Live, and The Friends Of Distinction’s Grazing In The Grass, which is a real highlight.

Whilst it is clear that Rowland’s passion for these songs is evident throughout, it is his voice that carries this album through. What the album lacks in originality, he mores than makes up for it with the passion of his vocals and his ability to interpret his chosen covers. The musical arrangements are excellent and the core band members which also include violinist Lucy Morgan add to the mix.

The problem with this album is that it is a little self-indulgent, but having achieved this long held ambition, Rowland will no doubt now have the bug and his amazing voice will be showcased on future projects.

Our Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars (2.5 / 5)

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