Kevin Rowland
has a perverse wilful streak, with abrupt musical reinventions, posing in female lingerie or theatre concerts with no greatest hits. But we forgive him
everything, as he has produced some truly outstanding music with Dexys Midnight
Runners.
"Geno"
is a 1980 tribute to one of his inspirations, but comes with a bitter sting. Rowland saw
Geno Washington, a US soul singer, in a sweaty club in 1968, a life changing
moment. He loved the dramatic performance ("That man took the stage, his
towel was swingin' high"), and the adulation from the fans ("How the
crowd, they all hailed you, and chanted your name"). He perceives that
this can be his destiny too with typical self confidence ("Me and you were the same").
Flash forward
ten years, and Washington's career is on the wane, reduced to cabaret clubs
("And now you're all over, your song is so tame"). Rowland is now the
star ("But now just look at
me as I'm looking down at you / No, I'm not being flash, It's what I'm built to
do"). They have traded places, due to his natural talent (again,
Rowland was never modest).
"Geno"
swings with the irresistible brass of saxophones and trombones, deliberately so
high in the mix. The powerful drum fill and the guitars in unison, Dexys were a
well-drilled unit in matching uniforms. Rowland's vocals are confident, but sometimes
barely comprehensible, which adds to the charm.
The record is
perfectly crafted, from the introduction the crowd's Geno chants to the acclaim
at the end. A self contained event.
Rowland wrote
"Geno" with fellow band member Kevin Archer (known as Al, as there
can only be one Kevin in the group!), chosen as the group's second single, it reached number 1 in the UK. It was followed by the even bigger "Come on
Eileen" in 1982.
1982 may have
been their commercial highpoint, but through regular changes in lineups and musical
directions, Dexys have always remained interesting, and never boring, which I
guess was Rowland's intention all along.
Hear Next -
There are some good compilation albums, but you might as well start with
their debut "Searching for the Young Soul Rebels".
** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.
