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PETE WILLIAMS - 'ROUGHNECKS & ROUSTABOUTS'

Formats

BR003 - CD
0707581900124
BR004 - LP
5024545713213

Details

**Shipping to stores 23rd Oct** "Roughnecks and Roustabouts is the apex of what has been a remarkable artistic resurgence from original member Of Dexys Midnight Runners - Pete Williams – from being part of the creative triptych with Mick Talbot and Kevin Rowland that produced the last Dexys album “One Day I’m Going to Soar” - to second lead vocalist and on stage super-ego to Rowland in the much acclaimed live performance of that album, with some definitive remake - remodelling of some Dexys classics in the acclaimed tour that followed the release of ODIGS culminating in the Duke of York live shows that were filmed for the “ Nowhere is Home” film and live album, and a headline slot at Glastonbury 2014. Williams’ first solo album “See” was a deep dark truthful mirror that was full of complex songs of the heart and soul that dealt with such subjects such as domestic abuse, paternal angst, - and personal loss that it articulates with an eye dampening profundity, never more remarkably than in the emotive upper cut of “Suddenly Shattered” that is the albums penultimate cut. Roughnecks and Roustabouts is the spring and summer to the sometimes bleak midwinter of See. Articulating the joy of escaping the mundane working class experience of factory drudgery by playing in a band, that the “work retire expire” line from First Real Job sums up so succinctly . The album opener “Breath My Love” captures this flight to freedom perfectly – opening with the noise of a Black Country drop forge till Williams’ perfectly formed melodic bass cuts through the mix and takes us on a soaring ethereal trip of optimism and hope mirroring his personal escape plan. La Cienega Song about a girl who “wore out her knees in the Florida Keys” that swirls around like carnival waltzers driven by Mick Talbot’s keyboards that are just one part of the musical treat that this album delivers – and keeps delivering – for this is an album that seems to constantly reveal new hidden musical depths that betray the mainly “live in the studio” recording that keeps the infectious energy of the band bursting from the speakers - Williams has got a crack core of musicians that bring his hook-laden songs to vivid shimmering life. From the sturm and twang guitars of Shez Sheridan (of whom Richard Hawley says “Shez Sheridan, one of the best musicians I've ever worked with, phenomenal guitarist”) – that are subtle, nuanced and constantly inventive. Williams’ bass connects – conspires and connives with Dean Beresford’s (another fixture in the Richard Hawley Band) drums to give these songs a swing and verve that only adds to the life affirming joy this album bursts with. So get in on the best kept musical secret in Birmingham – enjoy an album packed with seemingly recondite musical ingenuity – an album of uncommon musical depth that will put a smile on your face while you wonder why this album isn’t spoke of along with the prime time works of Costello, Hawley, Squeeze – go on it’ll make your summer holiday complete. "

Tracks

1. Breathe My Love
2. La Cienega Song
3. Roughnecks and Roustabouts
4. First Real Job
5. Let Me Like You
6. Keaton's Walk
7. We Came We Saw
8. People
9. $ Signs
10. Nothing's Going To Stand In Our Way
11. Valda
12. Vinegar