As greatest hits collections go, you at least have to give this one 10/10 for the originality of it's title. No 'Greatest Hits', 'Best Of' or 'Ultimate Collection' here, oh no it's 'The Nail File'. A bit of a pun I know, but at least it's different.
JIMMY NAIL
Jimmy Nail first came into the public eye as Oz, the loutish Geordie bricklayer in Auf Weidersehen Pet. Initially only known for his acting, we got a brief hint of his singing in the second series of Auf Weidersehen Pet. He had however, started off his 'showbiz' career in a 1970's rock band called the King Crabs, where Jimmy's party piece was to wear a pink girls dress on stage!
His first solo album 'Take it or leave it' was released in 1986 and included a cover version of the Rose Royce song 'Love don't live here anymore'. Jimmy then concentrated on TV work for a few years before releasing 'Growing up in public' in 1992 which included the number one single 'Ain't no doubt'. 'Crocodile Shoes' was released in 1994 to coincide with the TV series of the same name and included many of the songs from the series. 'Big River' followed in 1995 and 'Crocodile Shoes II' a year later. It is from these albums that the songs were lifted to produce the 'Nail File'.
THE TRACKS
1) Love Don't Live Here Anymore
A cover version of the Rose Royce classic and I do believe he's done it justice. The song has been covered sympathetically, with a haunting backing track complimenting Jimmy Nail's own unique vocal style very well.
Verdict - Hit
2)
Ain't No Doubt
This song hit the no.1 spot in 1992 and deservedly so. Quite a bassy, yet soulful number. Unusually for a Nail song it also has female vocals, but then again considering that it's about betrayal within a relationship, this suits the song down to the ground. Contains the classic lines;
Female "I don't want nobody else, I love you"
Nail "She's lying"
This song brings back fond memories of my stag night too, as I'd be a millionaire if I'd had a pound for everytime one of my pals sang the words "she's lying"
Verdict - Hit
3) Crocodile Shoes
The title song from the TV series. Could be described as an amalgam of a folk and country song, but it really works. An acoustic guitar based track which really showcases Jimmy Nail's vocal talents. It'll soon have you singing along to the chorus. It's quite a sad song in a way as it tells the story of a man who no longer has his wife and children due to his drinking and sees his crocodile skin shoes and alcohol as his only friends.
Verdict - Hit
4) Cowboy Dreams
Brilliant song from the Crocodile Shoes album. Borders on being a country song, but it's still eminently listenable to. Acoustic guitars dominate again but backed up by superb lyrics telling the tale of a cowboy who steals a girls heart.
"Loves a silver bullet that blows your world apart.
I wanna be remembered as an outlaw honey.
The boy who stole your heart"
Verdict - Hit
5) Big River
An absolutely beautiful song and my favourite Jimmy Nail song. Sends a tingle down my spine everytime I hear it and probably has a similar affect on Geordies everywhere. Tells the tale from the perspective of a young boy who has grown up through the rise, fall and the resurrection of the River Tyne's fortunes. Details the decline of the traditional coal and shipbuilding industries and how the area has fought back to regenerate itself. I'd love to quote the entire lyrics but here's just a few:-
"Now all the capstans and the cargo boats and stevedores have gone
To where all the old ships go, but memories just like the sea live on
Cos' that was when coal was king
The river was a living thing
And I was just a boy but it was mine
The coaly Tyne..."
"For this is a mighty town
Built upon solid ground
And everything they tried so hard to kill
We will rebuild..."
Verdict - Hit (outstanding)
6) Country Boy
A much livelier song than the previous offerings. It'll soon have you tapping your feet and nodding your head to the beat. Features more electric guitars and also the most drum laden song on the album so far. Very catchy backing vocals too.
Verdict - Hit
7) Blue Roses
Another stunning ballad which highlights Jimmy's vocal skills to the full. A gentle backing track featuring acoustic guitar, piano and subtle percussion with occasional orchestral accompaniment really compliment the vocals.
Tells the story of a man who needs to reassure a woman of how much he loves her:-
"You need more reassurance.
Than a frightened orphan child
That I'm always gonna want you
That I'll always be beguiled"
Verdict - Hit
8) On This Night Of A Thousand Stars
From the 'Evita' soundtrack in which Nail played the part of Magaldi. Set to a tango background, he carries this song off very well and with great aplomb.
Verdict - Hit
9) Running Man
From the Cocodile Shoes II album. Quite a lively number which will soon have you tapping your feet and nodding your head in appreciation. Probably the rockiest sounding song on the album too. Plenty of electric guitar and drum for those of you who prefer that sort of thing.
Verdict - Hit
10 Love
Cover of a John Lennon song, which pretty much features Nail's vocals, piano and a bit of gentle percussion. Very well produced and as with the earlier cover version on the album, it does the original justice.
Verdict - Hit
11) Once Upon A Time
Quite a countrified song which bemoans the lack of leadership in modern society when compared to a bygone era. Guitar and violin features heavily and this could almost be a line dancing type song.
"Once upon a time we had a lead to follow.
Well respected men used to show the way
Folks would follow on 'cause they believed the promise.
Well respected men would never betray"
Verdict - Hit (but only for the lyrics)
12) Dragons
Gentle acoustic guitar and percussion based song. Listening to this song you could almost imagine St. George riding to rescue a fair maiden from the clutches of an evil dragon. Quite mellow too.
Verdict - Hit
13) Absent Friends
Not one I really like and too much of a departure from Nail's normal style for my liking. It's a bit of a jazz type soul number and does nothing at all for me.
Verdict - Miss
14) Calling Out Your Name
Another weak link if you ask me and the lyrics don't seem to make any sense to me at all. An ok backing track with plenty of guitar, but there are plenty of other Nail songs which would merit a place on the album above this one.
Verdict - Miss
15) Show Me Heaven
Another mellow song detailing the last night on earth of a soldier during World War One. Quite sad lyrics set to a military drumbeat. Doesn't really do anything for me.
Verdict - Miss
16) Black And White
The final track on the album throws up a reggae number. Very much in the style of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's 'Ebony And Ivory' song this pleads the case for racial harmony. Just as significantly black and white are also the colours of Jimmy Nail's beloved Newcastle United
Verdict - Hit
SUMMARY
Scoring 13 hits out of 16 tracks I'll have to give this album a big thumbs up. One criticism though is that it should have included the excellent track 'Angel' from the 'Crocodile Shoes' album rather than one of the tracks I've voted a miss. Whilst I appreciate that Jimmy Nail won't appeal to anyone, with many being put off by his voice, I would still thoroughly recommend this album. There are some stunning tracks to be listened too and really outstanding lyrics to boot.
by (1%):
05.07.2004 00:45
Again Crocodile Shoes is all I can remember, great review though.
01.07.2004 23:53
I dodn't know this was out, guess what my mum is getting for Christmas now! great review. Luke.
27.06.2004 22:40
Smashing review....I have two of his albums.... Growing up in public on cassette and Crocodile shoes on CD. so I have most of them already, probably not worth me buying it, I was surprised to hear that "Angel" wasn't on it.....Heatherx