My Darling Clementine

A labour of love on multiple levels, My Darling Clementine – the sobriquet of spouses Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish – began as a homage to classic country duets of the 60’s and 70’s á la George & Tammy and Johnny & June

The debut “How Do You Plead?” was produced by Neil Brockbank (Nick Lowe) and featured some of London’s finest musicians from the 70’s pub rock era. 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”

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

2013s follow-up, “The Reconciliation,” produced by Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley, Duane Eddy) and featuring guest appearances from Kinky Friedman and The Brodsky Quartet only enhanced the bands growing reputation and received a similar critical response with the New York Daily News choosing it as their album of the month, 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 dark, noir tale of murder, lust and revenge around 8 King & 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, including a run at The Edinburgh Festival 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 a further shifting away from classic country to embrace gospel and country soul and was widely acclaimed with many writers praising the new direction;
“Where gospel, country and Southern soul happily collide. It’s terrific.” UnCut ********8/10
‘More Delaney & Bonnie than George & Tammy’ Record Collector ****4/5

Their latest recording is an album and series of EP's called “Country Darkness" A collaboration with Steve Nieve (The Attractions / The Imposters), it sees them reinterpreting the country and country soul songs of Elvis Costello. Vol 1 was released in October 2019, Vol 2 in June 2020, Vol 3 and the full album will come out in Autumn 20202 on Fretsore Records.

"My Darling Clementine and the country songs of Elvis Costello are a match made in heaven" The Alternate Root, USA

During the past 8 years they have played over 700 shows, won numerous awards and have more than earned their own bona fides, with match-made-in-heaven harmonies and their wry yet heart-on-sleeve songcraft spotlighting the vagaries of romance and the human condition.

“King and Dalgleish have earned their place in the role call of great country duettists” – UNCUT

“MDC mix country gloom with excellent musicianship and very fine songs.” The Guardian

“King and Dalgleish have re-invented the country duet – The mingling of these two voices is just heavenly” Mojo

“One of the most exquisitely pained country albums of the year comes from England” New York Daily News