Paul Heaton Teams Up With Former Beautiful Souths Jacqui Abbott

We were delighted to hear that 'What Have We Become' is to be the new album from Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott. Paul & Jacqui return together on record for the first time since the multi-million selling days of The Beautiful South, who in the 1990s and early 2000s released a string of critically-acclaimed records. The album will be released on 12th May by Virgin EMI.


‘What Have We Become’ is a wonderful contemporary record, full of lyrical wit and humour, whilst retaining a strong social conscience that touches on the changing social landscape of Britain (‘One Man’s England’, ‘When I Get Back To Blighty’), stereotypes in music (‘I Am Not A Muse’), whilst ‘The Snowman’ and ‘Some Dancing To Do’ deal with issues of loss.

On the evidence of the songs we heard in Sheffield towards the end of last year these Paul / Jacqui songs - if they will forgive is - sound just like the Beautiful South have risen once more.

Both are clearly delighted to be working together again as they explain:

Paul Heaton: “Working with Jacqui again was like going into your garage and discovering a beautiful, covered up Rolls Royce that hadn't been started in years. Jacqui is one of the best singers I've worked with and is also part of my past. It was only a matter of time before I asked her. I always wrote songs with Jacqui in mind. Even before I met her I pictured a voice that could carry the songs into people's hearts in a particular way. When I first heard her sing I almost laughed because it was SO right for the songs.”

Jacqui Abbott: “It’s just great to be singing again after such a long time, especially with Paul. We had such a good run together previously and it’s just a real pleasure to be working with him again and singing these fantastic songs.”

Tracklisting:

1. Moulding of a Fool
2. D.I.Y
3. Some Dancing To Do
4. One Man's England
5. What Have We Become
6. The Snowman
7. Costa del Sombre
8. The Right In Me
9. When it Was Ours
10. I Am Not A Muse
11. Stupid Tears
12. When I Get Back To Blighty

Paul & Jacqui have announced a string of UK dates where they will perform songs from the new album, alongside tracks from The Beautiful South and The Housemartins. These dates will be sponsored by the GMB Trade Union. Support on all dates comes from Cherry Ghost. Tickets will go on general sale on Friday 7th February at 10am from www.gigsandtours.com

May live dates:

Tues 20th - Newcastle Tyne Theatre
Wed 21st - Glasgow O2 ABC
Fri 23rd - Manchester Salford Lowry
Sat 24th - Leeds O2 Academy
Tue 27th - London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Thu 29th - Sheffield Leadmill
Fri 30th - Birmingham Institute
Sat 31st - Hull City Hall