Borough music duo's new album reworks songs of pop genius

Made up of husband-and-wife pairing Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish, My Darling Clementine are huge fans of Costello’s impressive back catalogue of tracks, making this new project a real labour of love.

The duo are joined by special guest Steve Nieve, who has played with Elvis Costello since 1977, and are giving fans a sneak preview of their take on Costello’s music by releasing a single of their version of The Crooked Line.

Michael said: “Making these recordings took me back to my 19-year-old-self, out buying a copy of Almost Blue during my lunch hour.

“It was Elvis and Steve’s making of that album which set me, and I think many others of my generation, off along a country path to discover more about this form of music previously only viewed with suspicion.

“For me it became something of a pilgrimage, a vocation, even a ‘career’.

“So this feels like the completing of a musical circle of sorts, to record a selection of some of mine and Lou’s favourite Elvis Costello country songs with the added thrill of performing them with Steve.”

Lou added: “Reflecting on those early years spent listening to my hero of the keyboard accompanying my personal king of songwriting, Elvis Costello, was it any wonder that in the spring of 2019, when he sat down right next to me and began his incredible intro to our first collaboration, that I couldn’t sing for crying? It made this sulky girl very happy.”

My Darling Clementine have gone on a comprehensive trawl through Elvis Costello’s back catalogue to come up with the songs on Country Darkness, including elements of Gothic Americana, outlaw country and folk music in their versions.

The album covers Costello’s time in The Imposters and The Attractions as well as songs from his solo releases and collaborations with other leading artists.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame artist and keyboardist Nieve was initially approached to give his seal of approval to the covers project but he went one step further by offering to play on it.

Michael and Lou have also been joined on the album by Richard Hawley’s esteemed backing-band of Colin Elliott on bass and cello, Shez Sheridan on guitars and Dean Beresford on drums.

Horn players Matt Holland and Martin Winning, who have performed with the likes of Van Morrison, also feature on the project.

As an extra treat for fans the album is capped off with a new song by My Darling Clementine, a smouldering country ballad called Powerless.

The group released its debut album in 2011 and has produced four full-length releases, worked on a stage play and audiobook with crime fiction bestselling author Mark Billingham and played more than 800 shows worldwide.

Earlier this year the duo went into the studio to craft the follow-up to their 2017 country-soul album Still Testifying.

Country Darkness, by My Darling Clementine, will be released on November 6, with pre-orders now being taken.

Find out more at www.mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk