UK country-soul duo My Darling Clementine present the second instalment of their Country Darkness collection, the four-track EP continuing where Vol 1 left off, featuring select compositions from the catalogue of Elvis Costello, interpreted here for duet. The project sees musical and life partners, Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish, once again collaborating with Costello’s longtime keyboard-player Steve Nieve.
Following on from their initial 2019 EP, which received critical acclaim across the Roots and Americana world. Vol 2, due on 5 June, will be preceded by the digital single ‘Different Finger’ on 22 May. The set is completed by the tracks ‘Either Side Of The Same Town’, ‘Too Soon To Know’ and ‘I Lost You’, a song Costello penned with legendary Nashville singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale.
Describing the creative process and song selection, Michael writes, “When we all first convened at Steve’s house in France last year, we had a long list of around twenty-five songs that we deemed as country/country-soul, which we then proceeded to whittle down to twelve, choosing songs that worked best for two voices and contained lyrics that we could adapt as conversations.
“After we had decided on which key, the tempo, the basic arrangement, we left Steve to record a solo piano/keys track, setting the feel for the songs, before sending it to producer Colin Elliot back in England, for us build into a full arrangement with the band.
“We had not worked that way before. It was an interesting experience and one that, despite my initial reservations about us not all being in the same room, playing live, has worked out well. A lot of credit for that must go to Colin Elliott, Shez Sheridan and Dean Beresford, our guitar, bass and drums foundation.”
During the past nine years King and Dalgleish have released four albums, played over 700 shows worldwide, and collaborated with a wide variety of fellow artists including Graham Parker, Kinky Friedman, The Brodsky Quartet, Jim Lauderdale and crime writer Mark Billingham. They have picked up various awards for their heart-on-sleeve song-craft spotlighting the vagaries of romance and the human condition, and their matchmade-in-heaven harmonies.
Known the world over as Elvis Costello’s righthand man, Steve Nieve has worked with Elvis since 1977, recording with him for the first time on his second album This Year’s Model. He was a founding member of The Attractions, and now, for over 20 years, one of The Imposters. A Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame member, Nieve is one of the most in-demand session keyboard players in the world. Country Darkness Vol.2 will be released via Fretsore Records on digital services worldwide and on limited edition 12” vinyl.
Artists’ website: https://mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk/
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