Willie Nile (album)

Last updated
Willie Nile
WillieNileDebutCD.gif
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 1980
StudioRecord Plant, New York City
Genre Rock
Length38:38 LP
42:16 CD
Label Arista (1980)
Razor & Tie (1992)
Producer Roy Halee
Willie Nile chronology
Willie Nile
(1980)
Golden Down
(1981)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Smash Hits 7/10 [3]

Willie Nile (1980) is the self-titled debut album by the New York singer/songwriter of the same name. Released by Arista Records in early 1980 to critical praise, [4] 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. [5]

Contents

Critical reviews

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". [6] With London Calling by The Clash, the album was voted record of the year for 1980 by Stereo Review magazine. [7] Music critic David Okamoto wrote "his self-titled debut remains one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time". [8] Uncut : "Every song spins superb hooks with a Buddy Holly flair". [1]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Vagabond Moon"Nile4:07
2."Dear Lord"Nile2.54
3."It's All Over"Nile3:34
4."Across the River"Nile4:17
5."She's So Cold"Nile2:37
6."I'm Not Waiting"Nile2:35
7."That's the Reason"Nile2:27
8."They'll Build a Statue of You"Nile3:38
9."Old Men Sleeping on the Bowery"Nile3:33
10."Behind the Cathedral"Nile3:06
11."Sing Me a Song"Nile5:23
1992 Razor & Tie CD Edition added track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Edge of the Earth"Nile3:34
Total length:42:16

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [9] 145

Other references

That's the Reason is heard at the end credits of the 1981 film Private Lessons . [10]

Production

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References

  1. 1 2 "Willie Nile - Arista, 1980", UNCUT, March 2015, pg 78.
  2. Allmusic review
  3. Hepworth, David. "Albums". Smash Hits (June 26 – July 9, 1980): 31.
  4. The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll pg. 697-698
  5. Palmer, Robert (August 21, 1980). "Willie Nile: busting out of Bleecker Street". Rolling Stone. p. 20.
  6. Hilburn, Robert (February 19, 1980). "Nile's Debut Album Hits the Jackpot". The Los Angeles Times, Part VI, page 1.
  7. Goodfriend, James (February 1981). "Record of the Year Awards for 1980". Stereo Review.
  8. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Dave Okamoto, 1999, pg. 814-815.
  9. "Willie Nile Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  10. IMDb Soundtrack listing https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082948/soundtrack