Let the Record Show: Dexys Do Irish and Country Soul


Let the Record Show: Dexys Do Irish and Country Soul is a 2016 album by Dexys, the band formerly known as Dexys Midnight Runners. The album includes interpretations of Irish songs and other select compositions. It reached number 10 in the UK Albums Chart on 10 June 2016.
Kevin Rowland said about the album:
"We had the idea to do this album in 1984 or 1985. It was to be called Irish and was to feature songs like 'Carrickfergus', 'Curragh of Kildare' and 'Women of Ireland' – all of which are featured here. Dexys broke up not too long afterwards, so it didn't happen."
He added: "The album is called Dexys DO Irish and Country Soul: DO it, not BECOME it. We're not trying to be Irish, and we haven't used too many Celtic instruments on there. It's our sound. We're bringing our style to these songs."
Tim Sommer, writing in Observer, called it "the most surprising album of 2016" and an "amazing, subtle, powerful, visceral album that lays bare the soul, memories and losses of Kevin Rowland".

Track listing

  1. "Women of Ireland"
  2. "To Love Somebody"
  3. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
  4. "Curragh of Kildare"
  5. "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen"
  6. "You Wear It Well"
  7. "Forty Shades of Green"
  8. "How Do I Live"
  9. "Grazing in the Grass"
  10. "The Town I Loved So Well"
  11. "Both Sides Now"
  12. "Carrickfergus"
;Bonus
  1. "To Love Somebody"
  2. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
  3. "Curragh of Kildare"
  4. "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen"
  5. "How Do I Live"
  6. "Grazing in the Grass"
  7. "The Town I Loved So Well"
  8. "Carrickfergus"
  9. "How Do I Live"
  10. "Grazing in the Grass"
  11. "Both Sides Now"

Videos

The release of the album was accompanied by videos for "Both Sides Now", "Carrickfergus", "Curragh Of Kildare" and "Grazing In The Grass".

Live

"Carrickfergus" was performed live on the 2023 Feminine Divine Tour, and "To Love Somebody" and "Grazing In The Grass" at the following year's festival tour.

Personnel

Adapted from the album booklet.
  • Kevin Rowland - vocals
  • Sean Read - vocals, Hammond organ
  • Mary Pearce - vocals
  • Lucy Morgan - viola
  • Helen O'Hara - violin
  • Big Jimmy Paterson - trombone
  • Matt Child - keyboards
  • Michael Timothy - keyboards
  • Tim Cansfield - guitar
  • Dave Ruffy - drums
  • C J Jones - drums
  • Andy Hobson - bass guitar
  • Ben Trigg - cello, string arrangements
  • Tom Pigott-Smith - violin
  • Alice Pratley - violin
  • Kirsty Mangan - violin
  • Graham Pike - chromatic harmonica
  • Camilla Pay - harp
  • Jody Linscott - percussion
  • Gavin Fitzjohn - trumpet
  • Kim Chandler - backing vocals