The architects of the My Darling Clementine project are that
stalwart of the UK Americana scene Michael Weston King and his talented wife
Lou Dalgleish, showcasing her vocal and writing expertise, with also no doubt a
little keyboard playing added to the live show. Under the guidance of
co-producer Colin Elliott, and with the aid of players from Richard Hawley’s
band who has also worked with the same producer, THE RECONCILIATION? is a 12 song 51 minute duet extravaganza that
is slightly more experimental than its predecessor especially in the horn accompaniment and Latino feel to ‘King of the
Carnival’ which provides a Mexican slant to the theme of post marital
break-up. Other critics have aligned this to the work of the great border
songwriter Tom Russell and this is not a bad comparison.
Aside the solitary cover of Ronnie Self’s ‘I Can’t Live With You (When You Can’t Live
With Yourself)’, Michael and Lou have carved up the song writing between
them, either in collaboration or solo, as well as entwining their vocal content
on a range of contrasting songs such as the closing pair of up tempo ‘Let’s Be Unhappy’ and the sentimental lullaby
finale ‘Miracle Mabel’. The finesse of
Lou’s vocals perfectly complement the solidity of Michael’s on this batch of
strong melodies and tunes which emotionally mirror their contextual themes.
There is no finer musical moment on this record than when Alan Cook’s pedal
steel takes centre stage and adds a decorous atmospheric elegance to the proceedings.
Those familiar with the first album would have been struck
with the undertones of aching memories of Tammy and George in their prime. This
album is far more explicit in its references with the Weston-King penned ‘The Gospel According to George’ and Lou’s
delightful ode ‘No Matter What Tammy Said
(I Won’t Stand By Him)’ adding spice to the theme of seemingly doomed
reconciliation attempts. Throughout the record the pain of the first album’s
split is prevalent commencing with the opening track ‘Unhappily Ever After’ where the iconic Texan maverick Kinky
Friedman makes a guest vocal contribution. Yet signs of common ground finally
emerge in the emotion wrenching ‘Ashes,
Flowers and Dust’.
No standout track is being offered for this record as its
beauty is in the entity and the temptation to randomly play should be avoided
in order to maximise the listening experience. It was mooted in reviews of the
previous album in the creative viability of a live chronological rendition in
order to recount the narrative. Despite having a scene setting spritely opener
and a thought provoking closer, the tracks of THE RECONCILIAITION? are more
random in their arrangement for this to form a similar possibility. Yet the comparative
exceptional quality of both albums will make them an essential dual pleasure.
Without hesitation this album must be added to your ‘to get’
list and in an age of easily accessible downloads with all the luxury of this
innovation, the magnificently reproduced CD package adds an authentic flavour
that will rival any vinyl version of this record. Michael and Lou have definitely
successfully delivered via their My Darling Clementine project and the fruits
of their craft are now there to be savoured by those moved by a creative style
of music-making that will never die.
