[rating=4.00]
The husband and wife team of Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish have crafted a classic country duet album in How Do You Plead? that should have Americana experts step up and take instant notice. With a top of the line backing band which has played with everyone from Elvis Costello to Van Morrison, the duo pour sawdust and tears into every honky-tonkin’ sad song they present here.
All of the originals work so well it is hard to highlight just a few, “Put Your Hair Back” is a weep-in-your-beer instant classic, “I Bought Some Roses” is an up-tempo back and fourth between still stewing ex-lovers and “Reserved For Me and You” is a standard tale of broken hearted loneliness that soars when presented by both singers.
The chemistry between the two voices is special from the opening wounded track, “By A Thread”. King and Dalgleish blending of vocals raise the bar but the lyrics shouldn’t be passed over like on the heart wrenching “She Is Still My Weakness”. The standout track just may be “The Other Half” which showcases a cinematic string arraignment for the powerful ballad.
Granted this is a specific album for specific tastes and perhaps too narrow a focus for all listeners, but if you ever identified with that twinge of pain while listening to Dolly Parton duets or June and Johnny Cash, you need to give My Darling Clementine a shot. A successful throwback in every single sense, even down to King’s cornflower blue Safari Suit on the beautiful album cover. If How Do You Plead? is the question, fantastic is the answer.
