Paolo Nutini
Encyclopedia
Paolo Giovanni Nutini is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician from Paisley
. His father is of Italian
descent, from Barga
, Tuscany
, although both his parents are Scottish, his family having been in Scotland for three generations.
Paolo Nutini's debut album, These Streets
, was released by Atlantic Records
in the United Kingdom in July 2006 and included the singles "Last Request
", "Jenny Don't Be Hasty
", "Rewind
" and "New Shoes
". "Last Request", the most successful, reached number five on the UK Singles Chart
. The album peaked at number three on the UK Album Chart and was certified
4× platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
(BPI). It has been in the album charts for a record-breaking 196 weeks.
In May 2009 Nutini released his second album, Sunny Side Up, which debuted at number one in the UK and has produced four singles; "Candy
", "Coming Up Easy
", "Pencil Full of Lead
" and "10/10
". It has so far been certified 4x platinum by the BPI. On 19 February 2010, it scooped "Best International Album" at the 2010 Meteor Awards
.
and to sell t-shirts for Speedway
. He spent three years learning the music business and performing live. He later worked as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.
His big chance came when he attended a concert staged by 102.5 Clyde 1
for David Sneddon
's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, Brendan Moon, who offered to become his manager. Brendan and his business partner Mike Bawden continue to manage Paolo.
Only 17, Nutini moved to London and performed regularly at The Bedford pub in Balham
. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London
, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for The Rolling Stones
, Amy Winehouse
and KT Tunstall
.
When Nutini was young he was a member of PACE Youth Theatre
Throughout 2006 Nutini played a number of sold-out concerts in the UK and performed at a wide variety of venues worldwide, including King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
in Glasgow, a TV appearance on Later with Jools Holland
, Carnegie Hall
in New York, The Montreux Jazz Festival
, The Wireless Festival
, Oxegen
and T in the Park
. He supported the Rolling Stones
in Vienna
and was invited to appear with them again at the Don Valley Stadium
in August 2006. He was also booked to appear at the V Festival
and The Austin City Limits Music Festival
, Texas later in 2006, with a European tour in the autumn. In May 2006, he also played at BBC Radio 1
's Big Weekend
in Dundee
.
On Hogmanay
2006, Nutini appeared on BBC Scotland
's Hogmanay Live
celebrations, after the official celebrations in Princes Street Gardens
were cancelled at short notice due to abysmal weather. He performed several songs in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle
for the TV audience with little or no rehearsal. On Wednesday 11 April 2007, Nutini performed in a concert that was streamed live via MSN Music.
Nutini performed at the Glastonbury Festival
in June 2007 on the famous Pyramid Stage on the second day of the event. Nutini also performed at the UK leg
of Live Earth
at Wembley Stadium
on 7 July 2007, with his set including a cover of "What A Wonderful World
", a classic pop tune by Bob Thiele
, George David Weiss
, and George Douglas. He performed the following day at T in the Park
, in Scotland. He performed at the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert
on 10 December 2007, an event that drew enormous international attention as it was the first full live concert performance by Led Zeppelin
in 27 years. Scottish independent TV company Volt MediaFix made a one-off documentary of Nutini's US tour. The programme, for the BBC, was scheduled for broadcast on BBC2, on Thursday 7 June throughout Scotland and on Sky channel 990 throughout the rest of the UK.
Nutini's songs have infiltrated American TV shows as well. "Last Request" featured at the end of the Scrubs
episode "My Words of Wisdom" from Season 6, the first-ever episode of "Gavin and Stacey," and the One Tree Hill
Season-4 episode "The Birth and Death of the Day." "Million Faces" could be heard at the end of the Grey's Anatomy
episode "Testing 1–2–3" from Season 3 and is on the Volume 3 Soundtrack
. "Rewind" was played at the end of CSI: Miami
Season-5 episode "Broken Home." "Jenny, Don't Be Hasty" was also featured on another member of the CSI franchise when it played on CSI: NY
s Season-3-finale, "Snow Day". "New Shoes" featured in The Jane Austen Book Club
and in a TV ad for Puma AG
during summer 2008. On 24 July 2007, Nutini was awarded The Golden St. Christopher medal by the city of Barga
in Italy, the highest honour the city can give, to celebrate his extraordinary contributions to Barga and its people. On 17 September, Nutini performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing "Last Request
". In September 2007, Nutini recorded a short radio show with imeem.com
where he listed his top 10 favourite tracks and the reasons behind his choices. In October 2007, Nutini performed for the annual Voodoo Fest held in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2008, Nutini's music was featured in a movie adaptation of Irvine Welsh's
best-selling novel Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance
. On New Year's Eve 2008–09, Nutini performed at the Hogmanay
street parties in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, becoming the first act to play both locations on the same day for the event. In The View
's 2009 album Which Bitch?
, he is featured singing on the song "Covers."
" was released on 25 May. In July, he appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, performing "Coming Up Easy
". This was released as the second single to the album on 10 August and it debuted at number 62 in the UK Singles Chart
on 16 August 2009. On 10 September 2009, Nutini performed "Coming Up Easy" on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. The third single from the album was "Pencil Full of Lead
".
The album received a mixed critical reception. Allmusic's Thom Jurek noted the move away from the sound of the debut album: "Nutini has taken huge chunks of America's (and Scotland's) pop and folk pasts and reshaped them in his own image," going on to describe it as "wise beyond this songwriter's years". Andy Gill of The Independent
commented on Nutini's progress since his debut, saying the album "sees the singer making giant strides in several directions", and going on to say "don't be surprised if, come December, this is one of the year's biggest-selling albums." Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph
was also positive, stating "his joyous second album organically blends soul, country, folk and the brash, horny energy of ragtime swing."
Some reviewers were less impressed. It was described by The Guardian
s Caroline Sullivan as "not bad", with opening track "10/10" described as "jaunty enough to make you retch". Graeme Thompson of The Observer
saw the album as an attempt by Nutini at "rebranding himself as a mongrel hybrid of John Martyn
, Otis Redding
and Bob Marley
".
The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart
with sales of over 60,000 copies, fighting off strong competition from Love & War, the debut album of fellow male solo artist Daniel Merriweather
. The album performed similarly well on the Irish Albums Chart
, debuting at number two behind Eminem
's new album before rising to the top of the charts the week after.
The album has been one of the best UK album sales of the year.
On the UK Albums Chart
on the Week of Monday 19 Oct, the album move from number 31 to number 5, making the album sell more than The Saturdays second album
. On 3 January 2010 Sunny Side Up topped the UK Album Charts for a second time, making the album the first Number one album in the United Kingdom of 2010 and the decade.
On 19 February 2010, Colin Farrell
presented Nutini with "Best International Album" for Sunny Side Up at the 2010 Meteor Awards
.
Paolo Nutini embarked on a world tour with his Sunny Side Up album.
The band consisted of, in addition to Paolo:
Donny Little-Guitars, Vocals
Seamus Simon-Drums
Michael McDaid-Bass, Keyboard
Dave Nelson-Guitars, Keyboard, Vocals, Percussion
Gavin Fitzjohn
-Trumpet, Saxophone
Ben Edwards - trumpet & flugelhorn, and Tom Pinder - trombone & sousaphone. The brass section are collectively known as the "Horns of Thunder" (a name formed by Paolo himself)
in May 2005, shortly after his 18th birthday. He released his first single "These Streets" as a free download in May 2006, this was then followed by his next single "Last Request
" which was released on 4 July 2006 and charted at number 5 in the official UK charts.
In the video for "Last Request", Nutini plays the part of a robber – though this is not revealed until the end.
Nutini's third single, "Jenny Don't Be Hasty
", was released on 25 September 2006 and got to number 20 on the UK Singles Chart
.
"Rewind
" was Nutini's fourth single. It was released on 4 December 2006, and reached number 27 in the UK.
His debut album These Streets
, produced by Ken Nelson (who has also worked with Coldplay
and Gomez
), was released on 17 July 2006 and immediately entered the UK album charts at number three. Many of the songs on the album, including "Last Request" and "Rewind", were inspired by a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend Teri Brogan, and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a true story about encounters with an older woman.
These Streets, as Paolo himself puts it on his official website, he states, "The album is a little glimpse of some of the experiences I have been through in the last three years". In late 2007 he covered Labi Siffre
's "It Must Be Love" for BBC Radio 1
's Radio 1 Established 1967
album.
His self-produced second album Sunny Side Up was released on 1 June 2009.
As of February 2011, Paolo Nutini was in the studio working on new material.
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
. His father is of Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
descent, from Barga
Barga
Barga is a medieval town and comune of the province of Lucca in Tuscany, central Italy. It is home to around 10,000 people and is the chief town of the "Media Valle" of the Serchio.-Geography:...
, Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, although both his parents are Scottish, his family having been in Scotland for three generations.
Paolo Nutini's debut album, These Streets
These Streets
These Streets is the debut studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini, released by Atlantic Records on July 17, 2006 . It debuted and peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified quadruple Platinum by the BPI, shipping in excess of 1,200,000 copies. So far, the...
, was released by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in the United Kingdom in July 2006 and included the singles "Last Request
Last Request
"Last Request" is a song by Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, and his first single from his debut album These Streets. The song was released on 3 July 2006, and peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #15 on Italian Singles Chart The song's lyrics describe a person who knows his...
", "Jenny Don't Be Hasty
Jenny Don't Be Hasty
"Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a song by Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, written with Jimmy Hogarth and produced by Hogarth, which was his second single released on 25 September 2006. It was taken from his debut album These Streets, and was the follow-up to Nutini's debut single "Last Request"...
", "Rewind
Rewind (Paolo Nutini song)
"Rewind" is the third single from Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, which was released on December 4, 2006. It was taken from his debut album, These Streets, and was the follow-up to his hits "Last Request" and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty". The single missed the top 20 but gave him his third...
" and "New Shoes
New Shoes
"New Shoes" is the fourth single from Paolo Nutini's debut album, These Streets. It is being used as the headlining single for the US release of the album. It peaked at #108 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #99 on the US Billboard's Pop 100 chart, as well as #21 on the UK Singles Chart.The song was...
". "Last Request", the most successful, reached number five on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The album peaked at number three on the UK Album Chart and was certified
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
4× platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
(BPI). It has been in the album charts for a record-breaking 196 weeks.
In May 2009 Nutini released his second album, Sunny Side Up, which debuted at number one in the UK and has produced four singles; "Candy
Candy (Paolo Nutini song)
"Candy" is a song from Paolo Nutini which was released on 18 May 2009. The song is the lead single from his second studio album "Sunny Side Up".-Background and Writing:...
", "Coming Up Easy
Coming Up Easy
"Coming Up Easy" is the second single from Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini's second album, Sunny Side Up. The song was released on 10 August 2009 as a CD single, 7" single and download single , following Nutini's previous UK top 20 hit single "Candy".-Background:"Coming Up Easy" is the...
", "Pencil Full of Lead
Pencil Full of Lead
"Pencil Full Of Lead" is the third single from Paolo Nutini's album, Sunny Side Up. The song was released in the United Kingdom as a single on 2 November 2009, a music video of the song having been released on 20 October 2009...
" and "10/10
10/10
"10/10" is the fourth single from Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini's second album, Sunny Side Up. The song was released on January 11, 2010 as a digital download only single. The b-side of the single is a live version of album track "Tricks of the Trade" recorded in New Orleans in 2009...
". It has so far been certified 4x platinum by the BPI. On 19 February 2010, it scooped "Best International Album" at the 2010 Meteor Awards
2010 Meteor Awards
The 2010 Meteor Music Awards ceremony took place on Friday February 19, 2010 in Dublin. They were presented by Amanda Byram. The launch took place in La Stampa on January 7, 2010 and was attended by The Coronas and Danny O'Donoghue from The Script....
.
Early life and breakthrough (1987–2006)
Paolo Nutini was expecting to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He was first encouraged to sing by his music-loving grandfather, Jackie, and a teacher at his school, St Andrews Academy, who recognised his talent. He left school to work as a roadieRoad crew
The road crew are the technicians or support personnel who travel with a band on tour, usually in sleeper buses, and handle every part of the concert productions except actually performing the music with the musicians...
and to sell t-shirts for Speedway
Speedway (band)
Speedway were a Scottish pop rock group, who were formed in 2001, by Glaswegians Jill Jackson and Jim Duguid . The band acquired three more members in that year, with the keyboardist and vocalist Tom Swann from Edinburgh plus guitarist Dan Sells, now lead singer of The Feeling , and signed with...
. He spent three years learning the music business and performing live. He later worked as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.
His big chance came when he attended a concert staged by 102.5 Clyde 1
102.5 Clyde 1
102.5 Clyde 1 is a Scottish local radio station that serves Glasgow and West Central Scotland on FM, DAB and online. The station is owned & operated by Bauer Radio and forms part of Bauer's Place Network of stations.- History :...
for David Sneddon
David Sneddon
David Sneddon is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter.He has performed on British television, radio and theatre. Sneddon won the first BBC UK series of Fame Academy in 2002...
's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, Brendan Moon, who offered to become his manager. Brendan and his business partner Mike Bawden continue to manage Paolo.
Only 17, Nutini moved to London and performed regularly at The Bedford pub in Balham
Balham, London
Balham is a neighbourhood of south London, England, and is part of the London Borough of Wandsworth and the London Borough of Lambeth.-History:...
. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London
BBC London 94.9
BBC London 94.9 is London's BBC Local Radio station, and part of BBC London. Broadcasting across Greater London and beyond on 94.9 FM, DAB, Virgin Media Channel 930, Sky Channel 0152 and also online...
, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
and KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
.
When Nutini was young he was a member of PACE Youth Theatre
PACE Youth Theatre
PACE Youth Theatre is one part of PACE Theatre Company, and has been running since 1988. It was founded by David Wallace. It is currently based in Spires Drama Studios, Paisley. It was previously known as Paisley Youth Theatre when based in Paisley Arts Centre...
These Streets and mainstream breakthrough (2006–2009)
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, also known as King Tut's, is a live music venue and bar in on St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland. It is owned and managed by Glasgow-based gig promoters DF Concerts...
in Glasgow, a TV appearance on Later with Jools Holland
Later with Jools Holland
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland. A spin-off of The Late Show, it has been running in short series since 1992 and is a part of BBC Two's late-night line-up, usually at around 11pm to 12 midnight...
, Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
in New York, The Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...
, The Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival
The Wireless Festival is a music festival in England that takes place every year in Hyde Park, London, and took place at Harewood House, Leeds in 2006 and 2007. It is owned and managed by Live Nation....
, Oxegen
Oxegen
Oxegen is an annual music festival in Ireland held since 2004, sponsored by Heineken. As of 2007, 2008, 2009, the festival has been cited as Ireland's biggest music festival. And by 2009, the festival is cited as the greenest festival, being a 100% carbon neutral event in Ireland. It was previously...
and T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
. He supported the Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and was invited to appear with them again at the Don Valley Stadium
Don Valley Stadium
The Don Valley Stadium is a stadium in Sheffield, England and is the home of Rotherham United F.C.. The stadium is an athletics stadium which has hosted major UK Athletic events and the 1991 World Student Games. Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Parramore Sports FC also use the stadium. It was designed by...
in August 2006. He was also booked to appear at the V Festival
V Festival
The V Festival is an annual music festival held in England during the penultimate weekend in August. The event is held at two parks simultaneously which share the same bill; artists perform at one location on Saturday and then swap on Sunday. The sites are located at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and...
and The Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual three-day American music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas at the city's central public park, Zilker Park...
, Texas later in 2006, with a European tour in the autumn. In May 2006, he also played at BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Big Weekend
Big Weekend
BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend is a music festival run by BBC Radio 1. It is held once a year, in a different location within the United Kingdom each time...
in Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
.
On Hogmanay
Hogmanay
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner...
2006, Nutini appeared on BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
's Hogmanay Live
Hogmanay Live
Hogmanay Live is BBC Scotland's annual live event programme broadcast from either Edinburgh Castle's Great Hall or BBC Pacific Quay on Hogmanay . Regardless of location, the programme rings in the New Year with the firing of Edinburgh Castle's One O'Clock Gun and the subsequent fireworks and...
celebrations, after the official celebrations in Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is a public park in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The Gardens were created in the 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and the creation of the New Town. The Nor Loch was a large loch in the centre of the city. It was...
were cancelled at short notice due to abysmal weather. He performed several songs in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
for the TV audience with little or no rehearsal. On Wednesday 11 April 2007, Nutini performed in a concert that was streamed live via MSN Music.
Nutini performed at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in June 2007 on the famous Pyramid Stage on the second day of the event. Nutini also performed at the UK leg
Live Earth concert, London
The Live Earth concert in the United Kingdom was held at Wembley Stadium, London, England on 7 July 2007.-Running order:In order of appearance :...
of Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
on 7 July 2007, with his set including a cover of "What A Wonderful World
What a Wonderful World
"What a Wonderful World" is a song written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968. Thiele and Weiss were both prominent in the music world . Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999...
", a classic pop tune by Bob Thiele
Bob Thiele
Bob Thiele was an American record producer who worked on countless classic jazz albums and record labels.-Biography:...
, George David Weiss
George David Weiss
George David Weiss was an American songwriter and former President of the Songwriters Guild of America.-Career:...
, and George Douglas. He performed the following day at T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
, in Scotland. He performed at the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert
Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert
The Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert was a benefit concert held in memory of music executive Ahmet Ertegün at The O2 in London on December 10, 2007. The headline act was the English rock band, Led Zeppelin, who performed their first full-length concert since the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980,...
on 10 December 2007, an event that drew enormous international attention as it was the first full live concert performance by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
in 27 years. Scottish independent TV company Volt MediaFix made a one-off documentary of Nutini's US tour. The programme, for the BBC, was scheduled for broadcast on BBC2, on Thursday 7 June throughout Scotland and on Sky channel 990 throughout the rest of the UK.
Nutini's songs have infiltrated American TV shows as well. "Last Request" featured at the end of the Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
episode "My Words of Wisdom" from Season 6, the first-ever episode of "Gavin and Stacey," and the One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
Season-4 episode "The Birth and Death of the Day." "Million Faces" could be heard at the end of the Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
episode "Testing 1–2–3" from Season 3 and is on the Volume 3 Soundtrack
Grey's Anatomy (soundtrack)
Grey's Anatomy Original Soundtrack is the soundtrack album series for the television series Grey's Anatomy, with three volumes released in the series...
. "Rewind" was played at the end of CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
Season-5 episode "Broken Home." "Jenny, Don't Be Hasty" was also featured on another member of the CSI franchise when it played on CSI: NY
CSI: NY
CSI: NY is an American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2004, on CBS. The show follows the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths as well as other crimes...
s Season-3-finale, "Snow Day". "New Shoes" featured in The Jane Austen Book Club
The Jane Austen Book Club (film)
The Jane Austen Book Club is a 2007 American romantic drama film written and directed by Robin Swicord. The screenplay, adapted from the 2004 novel of the same name by Karen Joy Fowler, focuses on a book club formed specifically to discuss the six novels written by Jane Austen...
and in a TV ad for Puma AG
PUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
during summer 2008. On 24 July 2007, Nutini was awarded The Golden St. Christopher medal by the city of Barga
Barga
Barga is a medieval town and comune of the province of Lucca in Tuscany, central Italy. It is home to around 10,000 people and is the chief town of the "Media Valle" of the Serchio.-Geography:...
in Italy, the highest honour the city can give, to celebrate his extraordinary contributions to Barga and its people. On 17 September, Nutini performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing "Last Request
Last Request
"Last Request" is a song by Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, and his first single from his debut album These Streets. The song was released on 3 July 2006, and peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #15 on Italian Singles Chart The song's lyrics describe a person who knows his...
". In September 2007, Nutini recorded a short radio show with imeem.com
Imeem
The online service imeem was a social media web site where users interacted with each other by streaming, uploading and sharing music and music videos...
where he listed his top 10 favourite tracks and the reasons behind his choices. In October 2007, Nutini performed for the annual Voodoo Fest held in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2008, Nutini's music was featured in a movie adaptation of Irvine Welsh's
Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh is a contemporary Scottish novelist, best known for his novel Trainspotting. His work is characterised by raw Scottish dialect, and brutal depiction of the realities of Edinburgh life...
best-selling novel Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance
Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance
Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance is a collection of three novellas by Irvine Welsh.-Lorraine Goes To Livingston:After suffering a stroke, Rebecca Navarro, a best-selling romance novelist, discovers the truth about her corrupt, pornography-loving husband...
. On New Year's Eve 2008–09, Nutini performed at the Hogmanay
Hogmanay
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner...
street parties in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, becoming the first act to play both locations on the same day for the event. In The View
The View (band)
The View are a Scottish indie rock band. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, pop punk, powerpop, folk, and acoustic in their music....
's 2009 album Which Bitch?
Which Bitch?
Which Bitch? is the second album from Scottish band The View which was released 2 February 2009. Paolo Nutini guests on the track "Covers"...
, he is featured singing on the song "Covers."
Sunny Side Up and continued musical success (2009–present) On 1 June 2009, Nutini released his second studio album Sunny Side Up, which debuted at number one. The first single from the album "Candy
Candy (Paolo Nutini song)
"Candy" is a song from Paolo Nutini which was released on 18 May 2009. The song is the lead single from his second studio album "Sunny Side Up".-Background and Writing:...
" was released on 25 May. In July, he appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, performing "Coming Up Easy
Coming Up Easy
"Coming Up Easy" is the second single from Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini's second album, Sunny Side Up. The song was released on 10 August 2009 as a CD single, 7" single and download single , following Nutini's previous UK top 20 hit single "Candy".-Background:"Coming Up Easy" is the...
". This was released as the second single to the album on 10 August and it debuted at number 62 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
on 16 August 2009. On 10 September 2009, Nutini performed "Coming Up Easy" on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. The third single from the album was "Pencil Full of Lead
Pencil Full of Lead
"Pencil Full Of Lead" is the third single from Paolo Nutini's album, Sunny Side Up. The song was released in the United Kingdom as a single on 2 November 2009, a music video of the song having been released on 20 October 2009...
".
The album received a mixed critical reception. Allmusic's Thom Jurek noted the move away from the sound of the debut album: "Nutini has taken huge chunks of America's (and Scotland's) pop and folk pasts and reshaped them in his own image," going on to describe it as "wise beyond this songwriter's years". Andy Gill of The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
commented on Nutini's progress since his debut, saying the album "sees the singer making giant strides in several directions", and going on to say "don't be surprised if, come December, this is one of the year's biggest-selling albums." Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
was also positive, stating "his joyous second album organically blends soul, country, folk and the brash, horny energy of ragtime swing."
Some reviewers were less impressed. It was described by The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
s Caroline Sullivan as "not bad", with opening track "10/10" described as "jaunty enough to make you retch". Graeme Thompson of The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
saw the album as an attempt by Nutini at "rebranding himself as a mongrel hybrid of John Martyn
John Martyn
John Martyn, OBE , born Iain David McGeachy, was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a forty-year career he released twenty studio albums, working with artists such as Eric Clapton and David Gilmour...
, Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
and Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
".
The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
with sales of over 60,000 copies, fighting off strong competition from Love & War, the debut album of fellow male solo artist Daniel Merriweather
Daniel Merriweather
Daniel Paul Merriweather is an Australian R&B singer-songwriter who has worked as a featured vocalist for other artists and has a solo career. His guest vocals are included on album tracks by Disco Montego, Mark Ronson and Phrase...
. The album performed similarly well on the Irish Albums Chart
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
, debuting at number two behind Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's new album before rising to the top of the charts the week after.
The album has been one of the best UK album sales of the year.
On the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
on the Week of Monday 19 Oct, the album move from number 31 to number 5, making the album sell more than The Saturdays second album
Wordshaker
"Wordshaker" generated generally favorable reviews amongst critics upon its release. Allmusic's Matthew Chisling awarded the album three out of five stars, praising the girls and the album for "combining aggressive basslines and vocals that are a pinch of prowess". Chisling's praised tracks like...
. On 3 January 2010 Sunny Side Up topped the UK Album Charts for a second time, making the album the first Number one album in the United Kingdom of 2010 and the decade.
On 19 February 2010, Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell
Colin James Farrell is an Irish actor, who has appeared in such film as Tigerland, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander and S.W.A.T....
presented Nutini with "Best International Album" for Sunny Side Up at the 2010 Meteor Awards
2010 Meteor Awards
The 2010 Meteor Music Awards ceremony took place on Friday February 19, 2010 in Dublin. They were presented by Amanda Byram. The launch took place in La Stampa on January 7, 2010 and was attended by The Coronas and Danny O'Donoghue from The Script....
.
Paolo Nutini embarked on a world tour with his Sunny Side Up album.
The band consisted of, in addition to Paolo:
Donny Little-Guitars, Vocals
Seamus Simon-Drums
Michael McDaid-Bass, Keyboard
Dave Nelson-Guitars, Keyboard, Vocals, Percussion
Gavin Fitzjohn
Gavin Fitzjohn
Gavin Fitzjohn is a Welsh musician, known for playing the saxophone and trumpet. He was born on 2 April, 1985 and brought up in Cogan, Vale of Glamorgan. He currently plays in Paolo Nutini's band.-Musical Career:...
-Trumpet, Saxophone
Ben Edwards - trumpet & flugelhorn, and Tom Pinder - trombone & sousaphone. The brass section are collectively known as the "Horns of Thunder" (a name formed by Paolo himself)
Recording history
Nutini made his first demo which saw him signed to Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in May 2005, shortly after his 18th birthday. He released his first single "These Streets" as a free download in May 2006, this was then followed by his next single "Last Request
Last Request
"Last Request" is a song by Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, and his first single from his debut album These Streets. The song was released on 3 July 2006, and peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #15 on Italian Singles Chart The song's lyrics describe a person who knows his...
" which was released on 4 July 2006 and charted at number 5 in the official UK charts.
In the video for "Last Request", Nutini plays the part of a robber – though this is not revealed until the end.
Nutini's third single, "Jenny Don't Be Hasty
Jenny Don't Be Hasty
"Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a song by Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, written with Jimmy Hogarth and produced by Hogarth, which was his second single released on 25 September 2006. It was taken from his debut album These Streets, and was the follow-up to Nutini's debut single "Last Request"...
", was released on 25 September 2006 and got to number 20 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
"Rewind
Rewind (Paolo Nutini song)
"Rewind" is the third single from Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, which was released on December 4, 2006. It was taken from his debut album, These Streets, and was the follow-up to his hits "Last Request" and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty". The single missed the top 20 but gave him his third...
" was Nutini's fourth single. It was released on 4 December 2006, and reached number 27 in the UK.
His debut album These Streets
These Streets
These Streets is the debut studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini, released by Atlantic Records on July 17, 2006 . It debuted and peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified quadruple Platinum by the BPI, shipping in excess of 1,200,000 copies. So far, the...
, produced by Ken Nelson (who has also worked with Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and Gomez
Gomez (band)
Gomez are an English indie rock band from Southport, comprising Ian Ball , Paul "Blackie" Blackburn , Tom Gray , Ben Ottewell and Olly Peacock . The band is distinguished for having three singers and four songwriters, employing traditional and electronic instruments...
), was released on 17 July 2006 and immediately entered the UK album charts at number three. Many of the songs on the album, including "Last Request" and "Rewind", were inspired by a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend Teri Brogan, and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a true story about encounters with an older woman.
These Streets, as Paolo himself puts it on his official website, he states, "The album is a little glimpse of some of the experiences I have been through in the last three years". In late 2007 he covered Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My...
's "It Must Be Love" for BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Radio 1 Established 1967
Radio 1 Established 1967
The compilation album Radio 1 Established 1967 is a collection of covers especially recorded for Radio 1 by a number of artists. The album celebrates the 40th anniversary of BBC Radio 1. There are 40 songs recorded by 40 different artists . Each artist was given a year, and were allowed to cover a...
album.
His self-produced second album Sunny Side Up was released on 1 June 2009.
As of February 2011, Paolo Nutini was in the studio working on new material.
Albums
- These StreetsThese StreetsThese Streets is the debut studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini, released by Atlantic Records on July 17, 2006 . It debuted and peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified quadruple Platinum by the BPI, shipping in excess of 1,200,000 copies. So far, the...
(2006) - Sunny Side Up (2009)
External links
- Official Paolo Nutini website
- "Singer Paulo Nutini headlined the Hogmanay bash..." eveningtimes.co.uk, 1–1–09.