Nail File, The - Jimmy Nail > Reviews > Ain't no doubt it's Jimmy Nail!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Big hit singles
Disadvantages:	A few average tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This Greatest Hits Collection was released in 1997.

Jimmy first hit the charts in 1984 and then 8 years later, he was back! In August 1992, he scored a huge number one hit with "Ain't No Doubt", which was taken from the album "Growing Up In Public". I'm not entirely sure about the title of that album. Of all the artistes that could be deemed to have had to suffer growing up in public, to my mind, Nail isn't one of them.

However, what about "The Nail File"?! Clever title!

The first track is "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" and it's a great cover version. I've always loved this song. I like the original version and the Madonna version but Jimmy's is fantastic and it's nice to hear a man sing it.

The second track is "Ain't No Doubt" which was Jimmy's big 1992 summer smash. It's quite amazing that he could have so long between singles and then grab a huge hit yet again. The song is so different from his other material. It's pure pop. The backing singer makes this track though I have to say. She really does. The song sounds more like something Michael Jackson would sing and it's brilliant. The chorus is almost like an American army chant.

The third track is "Crocodile Shoes" which was a hit in 1995. It had a funny video to go with it, complete with pantomime horse. It's a great country track which came from the BBC programme of the same name. The next track is "Cowboy Dreams" which came from the second and final series of "Crococile Shoes".

"Love's a silver bullet than can blow your world apart". It certainly is.

"Big River" is a particular favourite of mine as Jimmy's nostalgia for the local rivers and industries of years gone by is something I can relate to (though I'm not so old I can remember trams!). Apparently Jimmy was a bit hesistant about using the line "that was when coal was king" in case people thought he meant footballer Andy Cole! I'm sure nobody did though especially as Jimmy's throaty voice almost wails "this was a big river, I want you all to know". A beautiful wistful ballad.

I'm a bit disappointed that "Laura" and "Beautiful" aren't on this album. The only other big hit single that seems to here is "Calling Out Your Name" which again, is a country-tinged track. It's much more "rocky" than the previous country ballads though.

"Absent Friends" contains the brilliant Gary Moore on guitar and "Black And White" features reggae artiste Rankin' Roger. Like most good artistes, Jimmy likes to span different genres.

Here is the full track listing.

1. Love Don't Live Here Anymore
2. Ain't No Doubt
3. Crocodile Shoes
4. Cowboy Dreams
5. Big River
6. Country Boy
7. Blue Roses
8. On This Night Of A Thousand Stars
9. Running Man
10. Love
11. Once Upon A Time
12. Dragons
13. Absent Friends
14. Calling Out Your Name
15. Show Me Heaven
16. Black And White

The actual cover of this album is quite plain and Jimmy's face is as dour as ever. Still, you buy albums for the songs, at the end of the day. This is well worth £12.

Jimmy has had album success with other music including "10 Great Songs And An Ok Voice" which was a collection of cover versions but the singles chart seems to be out of his reach. It's unlikely that a newer "Greatest Hits" Collection will be out, unless something changes dramatically. Jimmy may have even given up music altogether according to one interview I read. If that's true, it's a shame. He may just have "an ok voice" but the songs are good and he'll be a miss.