New Blue Nile al*** due

Posted by: rod ayling on 14 July 2004

Hi, Music Lovers,

Not sure if this has already been posted , but a new Blue Nile album is due on the 30th August, which I read about in Hi-fi choice and is even listed in Amazon.

A mere 8 years after their last album , the patchy but still worthwhile 'Peace at last' . Lets hope the new album 'High' can get close to the standard of 'Hats' and 'Tinseltown in the rain' and we can luxuriate in Paul Buchanan's gorgeous voice over all those sumptous textures and melodies. How many mentions of towns ,streets, lights and rain can we expect on High ?

Only about six weeks to go !

Regards,

Rod

Posted on: 28 July 2004 by Bhoyo

I'll take average-to-good Blue Nile over amazing almost anyone else.

Davie

Posted on: 28 July 2004 by P

Tinseltown up my arse!

What next- Deacon Blue - After The Detox?

Sade to reform? Dire Straits?

Get out of the eighties people!

FFS

P

Posted on: 29 July 2004 by Stephen Bennett

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
quote:
Originally posted by P:

Get out of the eighties people!

FFS

P

Do you know, I've never understood why, according to the style police, I can't like music from any decade I want to. I've also never understood why it's apparently 'cool' to dismiss artists in the 'pop' world after a few years.

I can just Imagine a 'P' ancestor in 1796'

'You still like Mozart dude? God, that's so '80s' man. What next? A Bach 'Hearing aid' album?'

I like music. Don't care when it was made or who made it. I'm impervious to fashion.

(Nice sunglasses though...)

Stephen

Posted on: 29 July 2004 by rodwsmith

Sounds good to me...

I went on to Amazon on the strength of this thread, and saw that the record was being released by Sanctuary. A friend of mine works for Sanctuary. So I sent him an e-mail to ask his opinion and lo and behold, today a promo copy arrived on t'doorstep.

No "Downtown Lights" as yet, but their records seem to grow on me. I like the production value of "Hats" and prefer it to the first album, I think. "Stay" is obviously the song for demonstrating the turntable, but I actually think his voice has strengthened since then to my mind. "Peace at Last" didn't grab me enough to have achieved anything beyond being filed, although I might dust it off now. More my tastes changing than anything else.

For a band that release a record about once every nine hundred years they have an uncanny ability to sound the same...

Sanctuary maybe more than just the publisher so if I hear of any concert dates I will pass them on.

Cheers

Rod

Posted on: 08 August 2004 by Kevin-W

There's a Blue Nile feature in the new issue of Uncut magazine. The writer seems to like the new LP.

Kevin (Players Association: Turn The Music Up)

Posted on: 08 August 2004 by J.N.

Bob Harris played 'Days Of Our Lives' from the new album last week (31st)

Very nice - I'm looking forward to receiving the album.

Posted on: 08 August 2004 by rodwsmith

I have been listening a lot, and this really grows on me.

My friend gave me a copy of the finished item yesterday, and as per usual, they have put a sticker on the front with some of the quotes it has received. I wonder what they will make of getting a plaudit from the bastion of journalistic integrity and taste that is Mr Murdoch's most widely read organ?

Posted on: 12 August 2004 by DenisA

A single 'I Would Never' will be released on 23 Aug, featuring and two rare tracks by the band. Sanctuary have an album sampler link, but it doesn't work Here

No news of a Tour yet

Denis

Posted on: 19 August 2004 by Dobbin

I was listening to mark radcliffes sow on radio 2 last night. as well as playing 'I would never' from the new album he did say that he'd be interviewing Paul Buchanan a week monday - that's the 3tth august.

Posted on: 22 August 2004 by Chris Metcalfe

Well that's it then.

Talking of Sanctuary, everything seems to be on Sanctuary these days - ??

Posted on: 01 September 2004 by Mike Hughes

It's now out. Is there a verdict?

Posted on: 01 September 2004 by andy c

Hi,
after just 1 play I quite like it - will get a serious listen later tonight me thinks...

andy c!

Posted on: 01 September 2004 by TomK

After two listens first impressions are very favourable. There's some very moving stuff on it.

Posted on: 01 September 2004 by J.N.

Got my copy today. Paul Buchanan's voice sends shivers up my spine - it's just so haunting and emotive.

The last track 'Stay Close' is indeed sublime.

Posted on: 02 September 2004 by Simon Matthews

After a couple of days with this album I would rate it as a much more consistent album than peace at last, similar in approach to hats. Soul Boy and Toledo are really classic Blue nile.

This album is a no brainer purchase for all existing fans and is highly recommended to those new to this band.

Posted on: 02 September 2004 by Stephen Bennett

I have to agree that the album is beautiful.

But it won't play or rip on my Mac (to my iPod) - though I can't see any warning on the cover. Of course I've gotten around it - but it was a pain.

Regards

Stephen

Posted on: 03 September 2004 by DenisA

Key extracts from 'High' review Here

Early next year, The Blue Nile will embark on a UK tour.

Paul can't wait to get back on stage. He said: 'The last time I performed live was at the Royal Albert Hall in London seven years ago.

'It's a test to retain your currency and credibility as a live performer. That's part of the reason I don't sing too much. 'I get asked all the time. My voice is not a toy so I don't want to put it to the service of something insincere.

Paul told me: Paul told me: 'I'd have loved Sinatra at his best to record Easter Parade... that would have been a blast. Anyone who has heard 'It was a very good year' & 'One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)' would agree.

----------------------------------------------------

My 'Highs' so far are: broken loves - toledo - she saw the world - soul boy

Denis (showingmyagelistingmydadsfavouritesinger)

Posted on: 03 September 2004 by Hawk

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
I have to agree that the album is beautiful.

But it won't play or rip on my Mac (to my iPod) - though I can't see any warning on the cover. Of course I've gotten around it - but it was a pain.

Regards

Stephen

I had exactly the same problem, how did you get round it??

Neil

Posted on: 03 September 2004 by Stephen Bennett

I just recorded it via my CDX to my Mac and snipped it into tracks.

The Bjork SACD wont play either!

Regards

Stephen

Posted on: 03 September 2004 by j8hn

Stephen - mine rips to iPod ok on PC using EAC/Lame vbr

If EAC doesn't work with MAC

you've no chance as it's the only prog I know which worksround copycode

The album is not beautiful - it's a major dissappointment. Have heard it once and feel no inclination to play it again and I'm a massive fan.Seen them twice, have all CDs & LPs, collected spare tracks on multi single issues plus P Gabriel and RL Jones etc.

Reluctantly I agree with Andy Gill revue

Independent article

Posted on: 03 September 2004 by Hawk

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
I just recorded it via my CDX to my Mac and snipped it into tracks.

The Bjork SACD wont play either!

Regards

Stephen

Nice one, ill give that a go... I also had a few problems with SACD's, i struggled to get the mac to read the CD layer on hybrid discs.. a right pain!

Cheers

Neil

Posted on: 04 September 2004 by Stephen Bennett

quote:
Originally posted by j8hn:
Stephen - mine rips to iPod ok on PC using EAC/Lame vbr

If EAC doesn't work with MAC you've no chance as it's the only prog I know which worksround copycode

The album is not beautiful - it's a major dissappointment.

j8hn

I could use a PC, but it was just as easy for me to do it 'the old way'

I'm surprised you don't like, at least, Days Of Our Lives, Because Of Toledo and Stay Close on High - you obviously 'get' the Nile! Toledo, for me, is amongst the best Blue Nile songs ever.

I saw Richard Jobsons '16 years of alcohol'last night. Soundtrack included Peace at Last and (the saddest song in the world) Famly Life - wonderful songs.....

Regards

Stephen

Posted on: 04 September 2004 by TomK

quote:
Originally posted by j8hn:

The album is not beautiful - it's a major dissappointment. Have heard it once and feel no inclination to play it again and I'm a massive fan.Seen them twice, have all CDs & LPs, collected spare tracks on multi single issues plus P Gabriel and RL Jones etc.

Reluctantly I agree with Andy Gill http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/story.jsp?story=555403

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/news/story.jsp?story=535580

A massive fan of The Blue Nile who's willing to make a final judgment after a single listen? Are we talking about the same band here? One of the things I love about them is that every listen reveals something new. Give it a few more listens before deciding. In my experience most music of any lasting value takes a bit of coaxing.

Posted on: 05 September 2004 by J.N.

quote:
The album is not beautiful - it's a major dissappointment.

Ah the wonderful enigma of music eh?

I think 'High' is consistently better than 'Peace At Last' and love it. I took it over to some friends at the weekend, and it left them cold.

I gave up taking any interest in the writing of so called 'informed' music critics years ago - it's one person's opinion.

I find 'Soul Boy' to be hypnotically beautiful. Apparently very simple, but with some subtle flourishes. The last track 'Stay Close' is achingly emotive.

Paul Buchanan could sing a shopping list and hold my attention.

Logic does not apply.

Posted on: 06 September 2004 by Mike Hughes

Well, I'll grant you that logic does not apply up to a point but I think you can objectively say (ten listens later) that it is really an even blander version of Peace Ar Last and an example of how being able to hear everything deceives into thinking we're hearing something profound. It's lapsed into hi-fi not music.

I love them to bits and they gave me one of the most perfect concert experiences ever but this is just an average, more of the same and not to be confused with either of the first two albums. A great voice and subtle playing (which are all there) do not a great album make.

No doubt I will dig it out in about six years prior to the next release and feel I was harsh but, as with Peace at Last, it's mostly a pleasant diversion from what used to be an awesome band. Shame,

Mike