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New York Times recently called him: ‘One of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.’ Uncut magazine said he was: ‘a one man Clash’ and his last album ‘a platter for the age.’ And the Maverick printers would run out of ink if I listed every reviewer who had declared him to be the next ‘Bob Dylan/Bruce Springsteen’ over the years, yet very few of you have heard of Willie Nile. Am I right? 62 year old Robert Anthony Noonan aka Willie Nile is what is known as, a songwriter’s songwriter and lists Springsteen, Lou Reed, Debbie Harry, Lucinda Williams, Bono and Bob Dylan himself as not just fans but friends too with Bruce not only regularly getting Willie to join him on stage whenever he plays New York or New Jersey but also goes to see Willie Nile play and asks to join him on his stage! “After playing every dive in New York for years I made a lot of good friends and toured non-stop supporting just about every major rock band across America but didn’t get any record company interest until 1980 when I got to release my first album on Arista.” “Until then I’d been a solo artist but the label made me put a band together and go out on the road again. It was great fun then the label said I had to make another album; so we did and after it was released we toured the States supporting the Who, which was pretty cool as they were probably the biggest band in the World. Then as soon as the tour ended the label called me in to discuss my next album … well … they wanted one thing … and I wanted something else. Other labels were interested in me but it just got so complicated and stopped being fun because there were so many wolves trying to attach themselves; so I packed the bags and moved to Buffalo and raised a family. I never stopped writing songs in those years but when the legal stuff was finally settled the music scene had changed and the labels that had been fighting over me weren’t interested any more!” “I did a lot of different jobs in those years and just as I was hankering for getting back on stage; out of the blue in 1987 a European promoter got in touch to offer me a tour of Scandinavia, Italy and Spain. It really was an amazing few weeks and the following year someone from Columbia Records saw a video of one of the gigs and offered me a deal. I wasn’t going to say no! So 10 years after my previous album I released the follow up PLACES I HAVE NEVER BEEN with a bunch of friends from the Roches and the Hooters and even Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright and Roger McGuinn helped out on a few tracks. Even though I prefer being on stage, I can’t begin to tell you how good it felt to get back into the studio and record again. I’m a pretty optimistic guy and believe that people are generally good; but the way my friends rallied around was very humbling.” I then brought the conversation to the new album THE INNOCENT ONES and the accompanying tour. “I’ve just had an outpouring of songs in the last few years and I think that the battle scars that I’ve earned have made me a better writer and performer and more comfortable with my choice of subjects for my songs. The music industry is supposed to be by youth and for youth but some of the best music in history was written by Woody Guthrie, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and the like when they were my age; so I’m in pretty good company. I’m not saying that I’m as good as them but I can certainly spin a tale on the piano and guitar as well as any other time in my life.” “At my age everything I do has to have a reason and needs to be special and I feel that comes across in the songs. Obviously as a dreamer and hopeless romantic there are always going to be some love songs included but I think drummer Frankie Lee and I have also fired a few shots across the bows of sorrow. Sideways Beautiful was knocked off in only a few days but is proving one of the more popular tracks and getting a lot of radio play back home.” “Just like the last two albums we have tried make a couple of tracks a little bit political; where we get to give the victims and poor around the World a voice. One Guitar is a great example as it gives me tingles when I sing it and the audiences join in with the chorus. It just goes to show what power a folk song can still have in this cynical world. Mike Peters from the Alarm has recorded it and made it the theme tune for his Cancer Charity, the Love Hope Strength Foundation, which makes me immensely proud.” Alan Harrison Read full article December www.maverick-country.com Review Courtesy of www.maverick-country.com
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This is one of the greatest rock 'n' roll films ever made, performed by, arguably, the greatest rock 'n' roll band ever during, unarguably, their creative peak. Some things not mentioned that really impressed me: Keith, the rock 'n' roller for life, is so into the music that he spends much of his time facing the drums, playing directly to Charlie. Jagger's musical professionalism really stands out. There are many instances where he makes a point of not hogging the limelight when it's the other musicians time to shine. Sometimes it's just by turning his back to the audience during someone's solo. Other times, when the spotlights just don't want to move away from Jagger, he'd move over behind the soloing musician to force the light onto them. When Keith starts singing "Happy", Jagger not only turns his back to the audience, but points a wagging finger at Keith to get the obstinate spot operator to illuminate the right musician. And there was that moment during Bobby Keys' sax solo in "Rip This Joint" where Jagger starts to move away from Keys, but then comes back to adjust Bobby's microphone.......
Taylor's solo during "Love In Vain" proves by itself what a great guitarist he is.....
.......you need to see this movie......
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