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Returning for a third dip into the well of smart pop, former Beautiful South members Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott offer Crooked Calypso, a robust marriage of plucky wit, confidence, and heart. Since rekindling their musical partnership in 2014, the two singers have turned out a distinctive brand of musical merrymaking that has resonated with U.K. audiences. There's something refreshingly organic about their big productions, which layer strings and horns over a whip-tight rock combo that sways nimbly between Motown, R&B, and old-fashioned rock & roll within the breadth of just a few notes. As ringleaders, Heaton and Abbott make a winning and surprisingly egoless duo swapping lyrics, harmonizing, and keeping their party buoyant with the effortless grace of lifelong entertainers. Approached with any less skill, the effect of songs like "I Gotta Praise" and "The Fat Man" would come off as uncouth or corny, but the two manage to walk a perfect line of tone that successfully delivers their often barbed witticisms while conveying an underlying sense that they're not only in on the joke, but are also at the butt of it. It's this crafty togetherness that has made their first two records chart successes and helps Crooked Calypso succeed on the same level. From the heartfelt Irish folk tribute "Blackwater Banks" to the unstoppably hooky "People Like Us," this is an engaging and fun listen that is easy to repeat again and again.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
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Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Hanks, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, String Arranger, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emma Richards, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Natalie Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Savannah Simmons, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Alice Billen, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Esther Harriott, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Whitfield, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Hanks, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emma Richards, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Natalie Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Savannah Simmons, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Alice Billen, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Esther Harriott, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, Horn Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kat Curlett, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Gavin Hibberd, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Healey, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Richard McVeigh, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Whitfield, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Hanks, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emma Richards, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Natalie Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Savannah Simmons, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Alice Billen, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Esther Harriott, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Kat Curlett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Gavin Hibberd, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Healey, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Richard McVeigh, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Mandolin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Accordion, Piano, Whistle, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Piano, Melodica, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Whitfield, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Hanks, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emma Richards, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Natalie Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Savannah Simmons, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Alice Billen, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Esther Harriott, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Kat Curlett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Gavin Hibberd, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Healey, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Richard McVeigh, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Paul Heaton, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Guy Davie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Whitfield, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - John Owen Williams, Producer - Pete Marshall, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Hanks, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Large, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Hammond, Percussion, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Marcus Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Watts, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqui Abbott, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Lexus, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Scully, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emma Richards, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wise, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Natalie Purton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Ross-Robson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Savannah Simmons, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Alice Billen, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Esther Harriott, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Album review
Returning for a third dip into the well of smart pop, former Beautiful South members Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott offer Crooked Calypso, a robust marriage of plucky wit, confidence, and heart. Since rekindling their musical partnership in 2014, the two singers have turned out a distinctive brand of musical merrymaking that has resonated with U.K. audiences. There's something refreshingly organic about their big productions, which layer strings and horns over a whip-tight rock combo that sways nimbly between Motown, R&B, and old-fashioned rock & roll within the breadth of just a few notes. As ringleaders, Heaton and Abbott make a winning and surprisingly egoless duo swapping lyrics, harmonizing, and keeping their party buoyant with the effortless grace of lifelong entertainers. Approached with any less skill, the effect of songs like "I Gotta Praise" and "The Fat Man" would come off as uncouth or corny, but the two manage to walk a perfect line of tone that successfully delivers their often barbed witticisms while conveying an underlying sense that they're not only in on the joke, but are also at the butt of it. It's this crafty togetherness that has made their first two records chart successes and helps Crooked Calypso succeed on the same level. From the heartfelt Irish folk tribute "Blackwater Banks" to the unstoppably hooky "People Like Us," this is an engaging and fun listen that is easy to repeat again and again.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:35
- Main artists: Paul Heaton Jacqui Abbott
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EMI
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited ℗ 2017 Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
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