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Baker's Dozen

Paid Attention: Johnny Dean Of Menswear's Favourite Albums
Wesley Doyle , June 23rd, 2014 08:11

With a new single from the rejuvenated Menswear recently released, frontman Johnny Dean talks about sax appeal, music as maths and why pop is as much about what you see as what you hear

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David Bowie - Hunky Dory
Bowie was one of those artists who was always on the radio, all the time. In the 80s I became more aware of him and I loved 'Let's Dance' so when I started buying my own records I went back into his catalogue and that was it really. I think Hunky Dory is the first album where he is David Bowie; before that he was a bit directionless and hadn't really locked into the character. I know it's the obvious choice, it is the Bowie fan's album, but it's a masterpiece in songwriting, arrangement and vocal delivery. It always sounds good and always will. Where does it come from, how does he do it? There can never be anyone like that again.

The response to last year's Bowie covers gig was a total surprise - I'd not done a show for 16 years and people really enjoyed themselves. I was shocked, even more so when it got tweeted on Bowie's official account. I know it's not him but somehow I felt like it gave me his blessing.