Old Dexys album attracting high prices

Copies of the last album recorded by Dexys Midnight Runners are changing hands for up to £173, it can be revealed today – as it emerged the band is re-forming.

Frontman Kevin Rowland, who was born in Wolverhampton, told the Express & Star he no longer owns the rights to his 1985 album Don't Stand Me Down, otherwise he would re-release it.

The album, regarded by fans as the band's finest work, was a commercial failure, and was released three years after Dexys' international smash hit Come On Eileen.

But it is fetching huge sums from collectors online.

Yesterday it was revealed Dexys are recording a new studio album, their first in 26 years.

It will feature original bassist Pete Williams and keyboardist Mick Talbot, who found later fame with Paul Weller's The Style Council.

Both men left the band in a row over money in 1981 before Come On Eileen was recorded.

Rowland, now aged 57, today refused to give any information on the new album, such as its title, a release date or even where it is being recorded.

But he said: "I wish I owned the rights to Don't Stand Me Down. If I did I would re-issue it so people were not being asked to pay so much for it.

"If I owned it I would do something about it."

Asked for any details on the upcoming album Rowland, who has a home in Brighton, said: "I appreciate it and I'm pleased that you're interested. But I can't talk about it."

He has so far only revealed limited details on social networking site Twitter.

Don't Stand Me Down is no longer available to buy new, but second-hand copies are being sold on website Amazon.co.uk starting at £99.99.

No single was released from it because Rowland was always unhappy with the final mixing of the album and could not decide which song to release.

In a previous interview with the Express & Star, Rowland said "Don't Stand Me Down is by far the best album we made and I wish we had released a single from that album."