30/09/2026
Elliot Smaje’s review of last Thursday's CAT Club with Helen O'Hara and Too-Rye-Ay
Helen O’Hara – what a gal . . .
“The CAT Club is unique and a truly wonderful experience and It was an honour to return to talk about and listen to Too-Rye-Ay (As It Should Have Sounded) in the company of such a passionate music audience. Thank you Jason Barnard for a brilliant, well researched and interesting interview and to Rev, Liz, Route and The CAT Club team and everyone who came along for making me so welcome.”
Kevin Rowland’s Dexys Midnight Runners – Too-Rye-Ay (As It Should Have Sounded). 24 Sept 2026. The CAT Club at The Robin Hood Pontefract
Here’s our good friend Elliot Smaje’s take on the night . . .
A welcome return to The CAT Club for Helen O'Hara - this time to tell us about her inaugural period in Dexys, how she arrived there and the album she was plunged into. And as the title says, we get to experience the updated version recently remastered, as for years Kevin Rowland was deeply dissatisfied with the mix of the original - and I can say that as a first time listener to the new version, the difference is profound - and so much for the better. What was already a great album now has a new punch to add to its pedigree.
Helen tells us that prior to Dexys she was a music student committed to listening and studying classical and actually had a job to go to in a Spanish orchestra when she found her way into Dexys, who were in the process of transformation of sound, image and line up under the vision of Kevin. Was the stability of working with an orchestra to going into a band in rehearsal the wrong decision? Within weeks the band had made it to the dizzy heights of Top Of The Pops - so the choice was vindicated, with Helen having both a core sound is visible presence in the new direction.
Obviously this album and period is best known for ‘Come On Eileen,’ the huge worldwide hit. But this is not an album built around a popular number. The phrase all killer, no filler would certainly be appropriate.
Helen was charm itself and even wore dungarees for the occasion - a most fitting choice.
If you've never heard the album, check it out. If you've only heard the old version, check out the new for the difference! And like we heard it at the CAT Club, give it some wellie!!
'What's She Like' by Helen O'Hara published by Route. Photo by Liz Wheeldon.
Happy Trails.
www.thecatclub.co.uk
