Friday, April 18, 2025 - My Darling Clementine
For what began life as something of a side project for Michael Weston King & Lou Dalgleish, a labour of love, a homage to the classic country duets of the 60’s and 70’s, My Darling Clementine has grown and grown, and to some degree, has even overtaken the solo careers of it’s two main protagonists.
In a twelve year period they have released six critically acclaimed albums, a DVD collection, and played over 1000 shows right across the world. The numerous accolades and awards they have won has placed the band at the forefront of the ever burgeoning Americana scene
The 2011 debut “How Do You Plead?” was produced by Neil Brockbank (Nick Lowe) and featured some of London’s finest musicians from the 70’s pub rock era. Released in 2011, it was immediately acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic. Country Music People called it; “The greatest British country record ever made”
Such praise led to a US record deal and invitations to appear at the Americana Music Association in Nashville and at SXSW in Austin in 2013
The follow-up, “The Reconciliation” produced by Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley) and featuring guest appearances from Kinky Freidman and The Brodsky Quartet only enhanced the bands growing reputation and received a similar critical response with the New York Daily News choosing it as their ‘album of the month’, while US taste-makers Popmatters put it in their Top 10 Country Albums of 2013.
Their next move was a slight departure as they collaborated with best selling crime writer, and avowed country music fan, Mark Billingham, on the story and song project “The Other Half.” Billingham wrote a dark, nourish tale of murder, lust and revenge around eight of King & Dalgleish songs. The Other Half became an album, an audio book, and a stage show and featured contributions from actor David Morrissey and legendary singer songwriter Graham Parker
After touring the show with Mark for 18 months, including a successful run at The Edinburgh Festival, Michael and Lou returned to the studio, and re-united with Neil Brockbank for what would be their 4th album, and sadly Neils’ last. He passed away in 2017. “Still Testifying” was a further step away from classic country to embrace gospel and country soul. It was widely acclaimed, with many writers praising the new direction. UnCut wrote “Where gospel, country and Southern soul happily collide. It‘s terrific”, while No Depression said;
“Sublime country soul. The King and Queen of UK Country are back and they have headed south”
In 2019, and a few months before the Covid pandemic shut down all touring, Lou and Michael entered into another collaboration, this time with keyboard genius Steve Nieve (Elvis Costello & The Attractions / The Imposters). The three came together in France to record Country Darkness, a collection of songs written by Elvis Costello, reinterpreted by Lou and Michael for duet.
My Darling Clementine is playing at Lucky Penny Living Room on Friday, April 18, 2025 @ 630pm doors 730pm show!
Door: $25 cash/venmo/paypal - 100% goes to My Darling Clementine (We take reservations, but do not sell tickets)
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