Released July 7th 2008 on W14 Music (Universal) Single Mermaids And Slaves released June 30th Plus UK tour dates

The Cross Eyed Rambler is Paul Heaton’s 14th studio album but his first in his solo career. Since the Beautiful South disbanded in 2007 “due to musical similarities”

His first single from the album, “Mermaids And Slaves”, is released on June 30. The irresistible “Mermaids And Slaves” is available on CD and download and features the extra track “The Pub (SquareDevils mix)”.

“The Cross Eyed Rambler” is a startlingly bright and inventive sounding album with a stripped back sound not heard from Paul since 1986 and the birth of The Housemartins. With co-songwriter Steve Trafford on guitar, Tom Chapman on bass and Brian Edwards on drums, Heaton has stumbled upon a freshness normally associated with an artist’s salad days.

Heaton begins to sound like an Alan Bennett of his day with songs such as The Ring From Your Hand, The Pub and Little Red Rooster. And let us not forget Pauls’ imitable pop wizardry which touches the likes of forthcoming single Mermaids and Slaves and Good Old Fashioned Town .

With Jay Reynolds at the controls (Just Jack, Shack) at his homely Long Island Studios in downtown Acton, The Cross Eyed Rambler leaves from a familiar departure lounge, with a recognisable pilot, but with a brand new engine in the plane and a supremely enjoyable destination ahead. Enjoy the flight!