It's becoming all the rage - blokes of 50-something who've spent years in the shadows of more illustrious musical partners finally deciding the time has come to up step and take centre stage.
There's the eternal sidekick Johnny Marr, of course, finally showing what he can do as the main man with a couple of beezer albums, and certainly besting Morrissey on current form.
And now, Pete Williams, the time-served apprentice of Dexy's Midnight Runners threatening to eclipse the sorcerer Kevin Rowland, with whom he shared the band's triumphant comeback.
Williams' 2012 solo album See was a mini classic, but now comes the acid test with his follow up - due in March next year - Roughnecks and Roustabouts.
Early versions sent to fans who've paid upfront via Pledge Music suggest a more thoughtful, introspective release than his debut - one which might take a couple of listens at least to win its place in your heart. But live, in front of a "home" audience of friends, family and confirmed fans at a Black Country social club, there's a reassuringly instant connection, as Pete alternates between old favourites and fresh discoveries.
Among the newbies, Let Me Like You stands out for it's tender love-not-love scenario, while the title track of the forthcoming release is a typically passionate outpouring, detailing the singer's relationship with booze.
This is what we used to call pop music. Intelligent lyrics, full-on delivery, sharp playing, notably from Richard Hawley's guitarist Shez Sheridan.
Like Hawley, Williams deals with romantic disappointment and the scuffed edges of life. First Real Job, Trust Me and Suddenly Shattered are testament to a journey that has seen it's fair share - and possibly unfair share - of turmoil. But there's a widescreen optimism about his writing too - summed up by the anthemic Nothing's Gonna Stand In Our Way.
Chuck in a winning theatricality and some jokey onstage banter and you have a performer ready to take on far bigger stages than this.
It's been a long while coming, but you sense that Pete Williams' time is here at last - and finally, on nobody's terms but his own.
There's the eternal sidekick Johnny Marr, of course, finally showing what he can do as the main man with a couple of beezer albums, and certainly besting Morrissey on current form.
And now, Pete Williams, the time-served apprentice of Dexy's Midnight Runners threatening to eclipse the sorcerer Kevin Rowland, with whom he shared the band's triumphant comeback.
Williams' 2012 solo album See was a mini classic, but now comes the acid test with his follow up - due in March next year - Roughnecks and Roustabouts.
Early versions sent to fans who've paid upfront via Pledge Music suggest a more thoughtful, introspective release than his debut - one which might take a couple of listens at least to win its place in your heart. But live, in front of a "home" audience of friends, family and confirmed fans at a Black Country social club, there's a reassuringly instant connection, as Pete alternates between old favourites and fresh discoveries.
Among the newbies, Let Me Like You stands out for it's tender love-not-love scenario, while the title track of the forthcoming release is a typically passionate outpouring, detailing the singer's relationship with booze.
This is what we used to call pop music. Intelligent lyrics, full-on delivery, sharp playing, notably from Richard Hawley's guitarist Shez Sheridan.
Like Hawley, Williams deals with romantic disappointment and the scuffed edges of life. First Real Job, Trust Me and Suddenly Shattered are testament to a journey that has seen it's fair share - and possibly unfair share - of turmoil. But there's a widescreen optimism about his writing too - summed up by the anthemic Nothing's Gonna Stand In Our Way.
Chuck in a winning theatricality and some jokey onstage banter and you have a performer ready to take on far bigger stages than this.
It's been a long while coming, but you sense that Pete Williams' time is here at last - and finally, on nobody's terms but his own.
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