Willie Nile (album)
Encyclopedia
Willie Nile is the self-titled debut album by the New York singer/songwriter of the same name. Released by Arista
in early 1980 to much critical praise
, it was produced and engineered by Roy Halee
and featured Jay Dee Daugherty
, formerly with Patti Smith
, on drums. The album immediately created a buzz among critics and quickly drew the attention of other rock stars such as Pete Townshend
and The Who
, who invited Nile to join them on their Summer of 1980 US tour. Los Angeles Times
pop music critic Robert Hilburn described the album as “the kind of rare collection that reawakens you to the inspiring qualities of rock’n’roll”.
Along with London Calling
by The Clash
, the album was voted record of the year for 1980 by Stereo Review
magazine.
Music critic David Okamoto wrote “his self-titled debut remains one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”.
.
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in early 1980 to much critical praise
, it was produced and engineered by Roy Halee
Roy Halee
Roy Halee is an American record producer and engineer, best known for working with Simon and Garfunkel.Halee grew up on Long Island, New York. His father, also named Roy Halee, provided the singing voice for Mighty Mouse in late 1940s Terrytoons cartoons, as well as the voices of Heckle and Jeckle...
and featured Jay Dee Daugherty
Jay Dee Daugherty
Jay Dee Daugherty is an American drummer and songwriter most known for his work with Patti Smith. As a member of the Patti Smith Group, he has been nominated twice to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.- Biography :...
, formerly with Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
, on drums. The album immediately created a buzz among critics and quickly drew the attention of other rock stars such as Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, who invited Nile to join them on their Summer of 1980 US tour. Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
pop music critic Robert Hilburn described the album as “the kind of rare collection that reawakens you to the inspiring qualities of rock’n’roll”.
Along with London Calling
London Calling
London Calling is the third studio album by the English punk rock band The Clash. It was released in the United Kingdom on 14 December 1979 through CBS Records, and in the United States in January 1980 through Epic Records...
by The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, the album was voted record of the year for 1980 by Stereo Review
Stereo Review
Stereo Review was an American magazine first published in 1958 by Ziff-Davis with the title HiFi and Music Review. It was one of a handful of magazines then available for the individual interested in high fidelity. Throughout its life it published a blend of record and equipment reviews, articles...
magazine.
Music critic David Okamoto wrote “his self-titled debut remains one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”.
Track listing
All tracks were written by Willie NileWillie Nile
Willie Nile is an American singer-songwriter. In 1980 Nile released his self-titled debut album which according to one critic remains “one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”...
- Vagabond Moon– 4:07
- Dear Lord – 2:54
- It’s All Over – 3:34
- Across the River – 4:17
- She’s So Cold – 2:37
- I’m Not Waiting – 2:35
- That’s the Reason – 2:27
- They’ll Build a Statue of You – 3:58
- Old Men Sleeping on the Bowery – 3:33
- Behind the Cathedral – 3:06
- Sing Me a Song – 5:23
- Edge of the Earth – 3:34 (1985) CD Addition
Personnel
- Willie NileWillie NileWillie Nile is an American singer-songwriter. In 1980 Nile released his self-titled debut album which according to one critic remains “one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”...
– Electric and Acoustic guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, piano, vocals - Clay Barnes – Electric Guitar, background vocals
- Peter Hoffman - Electric Guitar
- Tom Ethridge - Bass
- Jay Dee DaughertyJay Dee DaughertyJay Dee Daugherty is an American drummer and songwriter most known for his work with Patti Smith. As a member of the Patti Smith Group, he has been nominated twice to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.- Biography :...
– Drums, Percussion - Mark Johnson – Background vocals
Other references
That's the Reason is heard at the end credits of the 1981 film Private LessonsPrivate Lessons (1981 film)
Private Lessons is the title of an American comedy film released in 1980. The film starred Sylvia Kristel, Howard Hesseman, Eric Brown, and Ed Begley, Jr.The screenplay was written by Dan Greenburg, who wrote the original source novel, Philly...
.
Production
- Producers: Roy HaleeRoy HaleeRoy Halee is an American record producer and engineer, best known for working with Simon and Garfunkel.Halee grew up on Long Island, New York. His father, also named Roy Halee, provided the singing voice for Mighty Mouse in late 1940s Terrytoons cartoons, as well as the voices of Heckle and Jeckle...
- Engineering: Roy HaleeRoy HaleeRoy Halee is an American record producer and engineer, best known for working with Simon and Garfunkel.Halee grew up on Long Island, New York. His father, also named Roy Halee, provided the singing voice for Mighty Mouse in late 1940s Terrytoons cartoons, as well as the voices of Heckle and Jeckle...
- Remixing: Phil Jamtaas, Record Plant, Los Angeles
- Mastering: Greg Calbi, Sterling Sound, New York, NY
- Cover photo: Christine Olympia Rodin
- Photography: John Noonan, Ron Kellum
- Art Direction: Ron Kellum