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 is now very much part of the country and Americana landscape. 3 critically acclaimed albums, over 700 shows across Europe and N. America, numerous accolades and awards has placed the band at the forefront of the burgeoning Americana scene.

The debut “How Do You Plead?” featured some of London’s finest musicians from the 70’s pub rock era, players who understood ‘classic country’. 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” while American Songwriter stated “this is as authentic as anything out of Nashville or Texas…A batch of superb C&W corkers.” Such praise led to a US record deal and invitations to appear at the Americana Music Association in Nashville and SXSW in Austin in 2013.

2013’s follow-up, “The Reconciliation,” featuring guest appearances from Kinky Freidman and The Brodsky Quartet only enhanced the bands growing reputation and received a similar critical response. Uncut exclaimed; “The husband-and-wife duo serve up more countrified duet thrills…on this form, it’s a winning formula that looks set to run and run,” while in the States the New York Daily News choose it as album of the week while Popmatters put it in their Top 10 Country Albums of 2013.

Their next move was a slight departure as they the collaborated with best selling crime writer and avowed country music fan Mark Billingham on the ‘story and song’ project, The Other Half. Billingham writing a noirish tale of lust, murder and betryal based around 8 King and Dalgleish songs. The Other Half became an album, an audio book and a stage show and featured contributions from actor David Morrisey and singer songwriter Graham Parker.

After 18 months of touring The Other Half , Michael and Lou returned to the studio for album no. 4. Re-uniting with producer Neil Brockbank, Still Testifying was released in the summer 2017. Stylistically, it was further shifting away from classic country to embrace gospel and country soul and was widely acclaimed with their new direction being praised by fans and critics alike;

…‘more Delaney & Bonnie than George & Tammy. It’s a triumph’ Mojo

‘where gospel, country and southern soul happily collide… it is terrific.’ UnCut

Never ones to stand still, the next project entitled “Country Darkness” saw them reinterpreting the country and country soul songs of one of their mentors, Elvis Costello. Country darkness was released in November 2020 and will be featured in this show.

Doors open at 7.30pm

Licensed bar

The Barleycorn Tavern, which is a stone’s throw from the Village Hall, are very kindly offering ticket holders 2 for 1 meals before the concert. You’ll need to call them and book at least 3 days before the event, and will need to show either your ticket or your wegottickets email. You can view the menu and find contact details here.