Too-Rye-Yeah!

The Brilliance of Dexys Midnight Runners

If I say “Too-Rye-Ay,” most people will immediately recognize it from “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners. If I ask them to name another song by Dexys Midnight Runners, most will have trouble, shrug and say “well, they were a one hit wonder!” At that point I will want to shake them and point them in the direction of DMR’s catalog of so many wonderful, unfortunately, overlooked songs. “Geno”, “There, There My Dear” “Lets Make This Precious” to rattle off just a few.

But, how do I know of them and why do they matter to me? This goes way back to the first time I heard Dexys Midnight Runners, and yes, it probably was “Come On Eileen.” However, after hearing that incredible single and seeing the video featuring them jumping around in their faded overalls, I decided this was a band I wanted to explore further. I think I bought “Too-Rye-Ay” and liked it but what convinced me of their brilliance was a live recording I nicked off some late night radio show.

Dexys Midnight Runners live is a unique experience with lead singer, Kevin Rowland, spilling his guts out while his large band of horn section, violins, guitars and drums played their instruments with so much enthusiasm you would think they’d exhaust themselves three songs in.

Kevin also has this way of telling stories and having exchanges with his bandmates that was unlike anything I’ve heard. There was an earnest, soul searching depth to what I was hearing. Of course, what Kevin was doing was what countless other soul singers of the 50’s and 60’s did but with my limited music knowledge at 15, how was I to know? Kevin certainly knew as he paid homage to many of them from Geno Washington to Johnnie Ray to Jackie Wilson.

Today, 40 some years later, I still love DMR. I’m not embarrassed to admit watching YouTube clips of their performances many times a week.Kevin and his latest incarnation of DMR put out an album last year, “The Feminine Divine” that I haven’t listened to much.They even did a short US tour but I couldn’t get to a show. I’m going to leave this here now, DMR is a subject I’ll come back to for further exploration. If you’re curious, give a video a view or listen to the recently remastered ”Too-Rye-Ay As It Should Have Sounded,” specifically the 3rd CD portion of live material.