Paul Heaton-the Musical

Don’t worry: no such musical exists yet. But read on.

I did not recognise the name Paul Heaton, until recently when I watched some programmes about this amazing musician on BBC2.

I am not into pop music now, but I used to listen to Terry Wogan on Radio 2 a few years back when driving to work. He used to play middle of the road stuff, sometimes tracks by the Beautiful South, which I liked as they had good tunes and sounded cliché-free.

I learned from the TV programmes that Paul was a member of that band, writing or co-writing their songs. He was described as the most prolific and successful song writing over the last four decades!

Listening to the TV programmes I realised what a unique and special musician Paul is. He led the Housemartins, a sort of punk and protest band, who could also sing a cappella very well. He then formed the Beautiful South, who often have cheerful tunes with dark or even offensive (to some) lyrics. I have been now listening to their Greatest Hits CD. The songs have not dated and could have been written yesterday.

Eventually they disbanded and Paul went solo, later joining up with Jacqui Abbot, a former singer with the band. They achieved great success together topping the album charts. Paul is still having a successful solo career, with album sales and at big venues where his fans seem to know all the lyrics.

He has done well in choice of female singers to perform with. Briana, Jacqui, and Alison were all brilliant with the Beautiful South. Jacqui is like a “girl next door” with a wonderful voice and innate musicality. Every song seems just right, whether she is solo or blending in with others.

The Beautiful South were not like pop stars, not just because their music was different, but also their attire and attitude. A critic said, “They look like people at a bus stop.”

Paul now performs with Rianne Downey, a talented young Scottish singer/ songwriter, and they make a great team.

Well, what about a musical? Paul’s songs usually tell a story. They could be sown together. E.g. man who is short of money “carries on regardless” and then is asked to leave a swanky bar in Rotterdam. He writes a song about that city and gets noticed by a rich and bossy woman who wants to marry him. His ex-girlfriend advised against it…. It goes on.

I hope that Paul can go on making music for many years.

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