Album Review: Crooked Calypso, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbot

Arguably one of England’s most consistently creative songwriters, Paul Heaton continues to produce the goods with latest effort Crooked Calypso. Once again teaming with his former Beautiful South bandmate Jacqui Abbott, this is the third full-length offering from the pair. Packed with buoyant melodies and biting lyrical barbs, it should please long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Stitching kitchen-sink dramas, observational comedy and pub philosopher ruminations together with feelgood music makes for an irresistible listen. Opening strongly with the gospel-steeped ‘I Gotta Praise’ and the witty, disco-flavoured ‘He Wants To’, Crooked Calypso features some of Abbott’s finest vocals (‘He Can’t Marry Her’), and Heaton’s sharpest lines (‘People Like Us’, ‘The Lord Is A White Con’). ‘Blackwater Banks’, though, is sure to be the LP’s most talked-about moment. Calling to mind Billy Joel’s ‘She’s Always A Woman To Me’, it’s a touching love letter to Ireland and destined to become a radio staple.

Out now!