by GeniustoBurn

Created on: October 08, 2010   Last Updated: October 09, 2010

I don't think I can convey to you just how amazing Imelda May is, how much I love her or how outraged I am that she isn't the biggest freaking superstar in the universe. (Hearing Cheryl Cole repeating "I Don't Need a Parachute" ad infinitum doesn't help matters.) Listening to the radio will be a bitter disappointment once you've treated your eardrums to this.

For some reason I was convinced Ms May must be American, but she hails from Dublin. She is a devotee of the classic rockabilly look - all tight skirts and two toned hair - which I think tends to brighten up the place in a way that jeans and t-shirts just can't do. When I saw her play at the 100 club in January, I was convinced she must be about 23, so lithe was her figure and youthful her features - but she is in fact 35. (Phew. I don't think I could stand it if she was this much cooler than I am, AND younger.) Incidentally, the gig was sold out - I got in by begging at the door.

Imelda started her career at the age of sixteen, singing covers in the blues clubs of Dublin. She continued juggling gigs with her day jobs of waitressing, face painting and working in an old people's home (to name but a few) until deciding to gamble on a full time music career.

Formerly the vocalist with Blue Harlem (on their albums "Talk to me" in 2005 and "Swing Street" in 2008) Imelda has created a stonking solo debut. While Blue Harlem (whose style is indicated by their name) released light hearted covers of classics such as "I can't give you anything but love," it seems that Imelda was itching to experiment with her range and style.

"Johnny got a boom boom" is perhaps her best known track, as it has an "official video" on youtube. (Where you can check it out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhogVvwbwkw) It pains me to say this, but the video is not of the finest quality.) The lyrics would appear to be about a man playing a musical instrument, but somehow seem innuendo laden. What is a boom boom, anyway?

The skiffly beats and throaty vocals continue in "Wild about my lovin" and "Love tattoo" while "Knock 1 2 3" is possibly one of the sexiest, slinkiest numbers ever produced. Slow and sultry, with only minimal backing, it would appear to be about secret lovers ("Knock one, two, three on the wall...that will be our secret call....") but is actually about love that continues even after death. (Oddly, her website claims this angle was inspired by a "Most haunted" type of TV show, but with my very own ears I have heard

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