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]
| Willie Nile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 1980 | |||
| Studio | Record Plant, New York City | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 38:38 LP 42:16 CD | |||
| Label | Arista (1980) Razor & Tie (1992) | |||
| Producer | Roy Halee | |||
| Willie Nile chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Uncut |   [1] |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| Smash Hits | 7/10[3] |
Critical reviews edit
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 edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Vagabond Moon" | Nile | 4:07 |
| 2. | "Dear Lord" | Nile | 2.54 |
| 3. | "It's All Over" | Nile | 3:34 |
| 4. | "Across the River" | Nile | 4:17 |
| 5. | "She's So Cold" | Nile | 2:37 |
| 6. | "I'm Not Waiting" | Nile | 2:35 |
| 7. | "That's the Reason" | Nile | 2:27 |
| 8. | "They'll Build a Statue of You" | Nile | 3:38 |
| 9. | "Old Men Sleeping on the Bowery" | Nile | 3:33 |
| 10. | "Behind the Cathedral" | Nile | 3:06 |
| 11. | "Sing Me a Song" | Nile | 5:23 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Edge of the Earth" | Nile | 3:34 |
| Total length: | 42:16 | ||
Personnel edit
- Willie Nile – Electric and Acoustic guitar, piano, vocals
- Clay Barnes – Electric Guitar, background vocals
- Peter Hoffman - Electric Guitar
- Tom Ethridge - Bass
- Jay Dee Daugherty – Drums, Percussion
- Mark Johnson – Background vocals
Charts edit
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[9] | 145 |
Other references edit
That's the Reason is heard at the end credits of the 1981 film Private Lessons.[10]
Production edit
- Producers: Roy Halee
- Engineering: Roy Halee
- 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
References edit
- ^ a b "Willie Nile - Arista, 1980", UNCUT, March 2015, pg 78.
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Hepworth, David. "Albums". Smash Hits (June 26 – July 9, 1980): 31.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll pg. 697-698
- ^ Palmer, Robert (August 21, 1980). "Willie Nile: busting out of Bleecker Street". Rolling Stone. p. 20.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert (February 19, 1980). "Nile's Debut Album Hits the Jackpot". The Los Angeles Times, Part VI, page 1.
- ^ Goodfriend, James (February 1981). "Record of the Year Awards for 1980". Stereo Review.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Dave Okamoto, 1999, pg. 814-815.
- ^ "Willie Nile Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ IMDb Soundtrack listing https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082948/soundtrack