I think a good test of how strong Dury is as a song smith, is to try reciting Billericqy Dickie as a monologue.
In my opinion this is a good technique with any story ballad such as Tam Linn, Two Brothers etc, to recite it as a monologue, i think this helps with story interpretation, thinking about pauses in the same way, one might pause for effect when playing a slow air[ e g playing the silences.]Is this a justified criticism of him as a singer? does he interpret the song well?
Do Ian Durys Songs work if read like a poem or monologue?

We have talked about the quality of the musicians in his band , and it is right and proper that musicians get praised, however accompaniment should be accompaniment,the music should be a vehicle to carry the lyrics, does having a bass solo enhance the song as a vehicle to cqrry the message of the lyrics.