The Dirty Strangers - Crime And A Woman album review

Veteran rockers The Dirty Strangers forge a noir concept album

Dirty Strangers Crime And A Woman album cover

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Shepherd’s Bush rockers the Dirty Strangers had only been playing pubs and clubs in the early 80s when they found themselves joined in the studio by Keith Richards, then Ronnie Wood. The Stones link came through the enduring friendship between Richards and singer-guitarist Alan Clayton, resulting in 1987’s self-titled debut album.

Since then, the Dirties have battled on, releasing records and playing gigs. Now they’ve arrived at the noir concept scenario of Crime And A Woman, which sees Clayton joined by drummer George Butler, bassist John Proctor and keyboardist Scott Mulvey, whose Hammond lends a rich swirl to the band’s timelessly soulful, evocatively heartfelt and irrepressibly rocking west London sound.

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Kris Needs

Kris Needs is a British journalist and author, known for writings on music from the 1970s onwards. Previously secretary of the Mott The Hoople fan club, he became editor of ZigZag in 1977 and has written biographies of stars including Primal Scream, Joe Strummer and Keith Richards. He's also written for MOJO, Record Collector, Classic Rock, Prog, Electronic Sound, Vive Le Rock and Shindig!