Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott: Double act with wit and warmth

PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOTTCrooked CalypsoVirgin EMI, 3

Crooked Calypso
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Artist: Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott
Genre: Rock
Label: Virgin EMI

At this stage, it's safe to say that Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott's reunion has been a success. The former Beautiful South colleagues rejoined forces in 2014 and three albums in, the pair's rapport continues to thrive with another enjoyable clutch of pop-rock tunes. Heaton's waggish humour emerges on the lyrics of songs like People Like Us, while Blackwater Banks is a heart-on-sleeve love letter to Ireland. Throughout, Abbott's velvety voice remains the perfect foil to his nasal croon, whether it's alongside the shimmering strings of If I May or the rambunctiously enjoyable The Lord is a White Con. The nudge-nudge-wink-wink element of Heaton's lyrical prowess, as heard on Your Bit of Stuff, occasionally overpowers the more subtle numbers, but overall this is reliably entertaining stuff. Paulheaton.co.uk

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She writes about music and the arts for The Irish Times