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Rating: 1980. Location: England. Group leader, singer, guitarist, songwriter: Kevin Rowland. Brilliant, restless, of Irish descent, influenced by folk and soul music. With the other guitarist and singer Kevin Al Archer, he formed in 1978 the Dexys Midnight Runners, a group consisting of two saxophonists, a trombonist, a bassist, a drummer, and a keyboardist (one Mick Talbot).
Preceded by a couple of singles, the album "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" was released in the aforementioned year.
This is the story.
Listening to the album, my feelings were of joy, irony, youthful freshness, but above all, emotion. And for this, I have to thank Kevin Rowland primarily, keeping in mind what the future years have in store for him. He dared to bare himself, giving us his all, and as always, those who give all receive little.
The album's music is made of brass, organ, accelerations and falls, almost punk choirs, it is made largely of Rowland's whiny voice. The style is soul, pop, rhythm 'n' blues.
I have nothing else to add. As always, music first and foremost needs to be listened to.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
05 Geno (03:31)
Geno! Geno! Geno! Geno! Geno! ...
Back in '68 in a sweaty club
Oh, Geno
Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub
Oh-oh-oh Geno-o
On a night when flowers didn't suit my shoes
After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
The lowest head in the crowd that night
Just practicin' steps and keepin' outta the fights
Academic inspiration, you gave me none
But you were Michael the lover
The fighter that won
But now just look at me
I'm looking down at you
No, I’m not bein’ flash
It’s what I’m built to do
That man took the stage, his towel was swingin' high
Oh Geno
This man was my bombers, my Dexy's, my high
Oh-oh-oh Geno-o
The crowd they all hailed you, and chanted your name
But they never knew like we knew
Me and you were the same
And now you're all over, your song is so tame, brrrrr
You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name
Academic inspiration, you gave me none
You were Michael the lover
The fighter that won
But now just look at me
I'm looking down at you
No, I’m not bein’ flash
It’s what I’m built to do
Oh Geno, Woh-oh-oh Geno-o
Oh Geno, Woh-oh-oh Geno-o
11 There, There, My Dear (03:31)
Dear Robin
Hope you dont mind me writing, its just that theres more than one thing I
need to ask you. If youre so anti-fashion, why not wear flares, instead of
dressing down all the same. Its just that looking like that I can express
my dissatisfaction.
Dear Robin
Let me explain, though youd never see in a million years. Keep quoting
Cabaret, Berlin, Burroughs, J.G. Ballard, Duchamp, Beauvoir, Kerouac,
Kierkegaard, Michael Rennie. I dont believe you really like Frank Sinatra.
Dear Robin
Youre always so happy, how the hell do you get your inspiration? Youre
like a dumb patriot. If youre supposed to be so angry, why dont you fight
and let me benefit from your right? Dont you know the only way to change
things is to shoot men who arrange things, Dear Robin
I would explain but youd never see in a million years. Well, youve made
your rules, but we dont know that game, perhaps Id listen to your records
but your logics far too lame and Id only waste three valuable minutes of
my life with your insincerity.
You see Robin, Im just searching for the young soul rebels, and I cant
find them anywhere. Where have you hidden them?
Maybe you should welcome the new soul vision.
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Other reviews
By woodstock
The closing Come On Eileen remains the seal of an intense and unrepeatable album not only by the Dexys but by anyone.
The New Caledonian Soul was now the style for saturday night stars performing under a different light, at times more fierce, certainly more thrilling and seductive.
