An essay to Kevin Rowland.
We go back a long way, you and I Kevin. I have seen you perform in many different incarnations over the years and you always come over as 100% authentic. Your influences were always clear: Geno Washington and the Ram Jam band, and witnessing Geno in the 60s and 70s in clubs in Birmingham. Jackie Wilson and sweet soul music straight from the heart. Chairman of the Board, their song “Give Me Just a Little More Time” and in particular their lead vocalist.
All of these came together and were the influences behind the first Dexys Midnight Runners and the young soul rebels. Memories of seeing you at Newcastle Mayfair when “Geno” had just been released. Memories of seeing Geno himself strutting his stuff at the Kirk (Kirklevington Country Club)… But that’s another story. You were a breath of fresh air, quite different (obviously) to punk but you also didn’t quite fit the Specials/Madness Two Tone or Ska mould. You stood out on your own even then. That night at the Mayfair was something special. You sang to me from the heart and your soul as you did once again last night.
Soon after seeing you at the Mayfair I was in a marquee on Newcastle Town Moor for some sort of festival. You headlined one night and The Boomtown Rats headlined the other. I attended both nights, on my own as I recall. This was before “Come on Eileen”. I hadn’t seen you since the Mayfair and “Geno” days, so didn’t quite know what to expect. A bunch of rag–a–taggle gypsies came on stage. You were dressed in a tam hat, denim dungarees and surrounded by a band dressed similarly, including a violinist.
What had happened to Dexys Midnight Runners? They had somehow morphed into this strange new gypsy soul band. And the music was so, so very different. The Too Rye Aye album had yet to be released so I was hearing all these new tunes for the first time. You got me again Kevin. I was totally knocked out. I couldn’t wait to get back home and tell my wife and friends about this strange wonderful experience and how Dexys were back, reborn, different yet still magic and soulful. Of course “Come on Eileen” was a massive hit and you went on to further success.
You seemed to disappear from public view and I think, to my shame, I missed a tour. I picked up on you again some years ago at Whitley Bay Playhouse where you performed a whole new concept album based around the breakup between you and your girlfriend. You sang from the heart once again and I thought it was one of the best concerts I have ever witnessed. And so our journey together takes me to last night, Newcastle City Hall, getting soaking wet in the pouring rain and experiencing your new music. The band is now called simply Dexys. Your new album ,“The Feminine Divine” is based around the concept of male/female stereotypes and explores how the character you play transforms from being a stereotypical man to someone who recognises his partner is his Goddess.
He finally becomes submissive to her every whim, allowing her to take control of the relationship. You perform the entire album as the first set of the evening, a brave move which works well. The crowd have clearly come prepared. Many sing along. Everyone loves the new vision, the new Kevin and accepts the new direction. You look well dressed in red with a white sailor–like hat sitting perched on top of your head. After a short interval and a pint of Guinness you return and play a selection of songs from Too Rye Aye including many which are familiar and some less so. They include “Soon”, “Plan B”, “I’ll Show You”, “All in All”, “Until I Believe in My Soul” and of course “Come on Eileen”. Lots of dancing and singing along. Great. You did it again Kevin. For the encore we get more classics and more singalongs in the form of “Geno” and “Jackie Wilson Said”. The closing song is a traditional Irish song “Carrickfergus” which rounds off the evening very appropriately. Another tour, another side of you revealed to us very openly. Still a soul boy at heart. I look forward to the next chapter and the next part of our journey together Kevin.
I purchased a signed set list. Thanks to Elaine for the photographs.
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