Second only to Prince, Nik Kershaw is my favorite pop singer/songwriter. His CDs (8 studio releases so far) are full of witty, tightly crafted songs packed with sardonic wit and a depth of subjects not usually heard in pop music. Technically he can be classified as a "One Hit Wonder" for his ultra infectious single "Wouldn't It be Good." But that distinction is perhaps the largest understatement in the history of recorded music. Collectively over his 4 decade career.
Nik Kershaw has written dozens of should have been huge hits. I discovered him in my youth--AKA the 1980s. His first two releases "Human Racing" and "The Riddle" were in constant rotation on my boom box tape player. That's right--Cassettes! But amazingly his later work, CDS from the last decade holds as equally important place in my music collection.
"Human Racing" is a magical debut full of tightly, well constructed 1980s synth pop and a rich lyrical depth not seen in pop music at the time. It not only features the hit "Wouldn't It Be Good," but danceable gems "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," "Dancing Girls" and "Gone To Pieces." Plus the ode to a film legend "Bogart." The mournful ballad "Human Racing" brings back sense memories of nights at New England beaches. Kershaw's first CD is not perfect but shows genuine moments of all the brilliance that was yet to come.
Nik Kershaw has written dozens of should have been huge hits. I discovered him in my youth--AKA the 1980s. His first two releases "Human Racing" and "The Riddle" were in constant rotation on my boom box tape player. That's right--Cassettes! But amazingly his later work, CDS from the last decade holds as equally important place in my music collection.
"Human Racing" is a magical debut full of tightly, well constructed 1980s synth pop and a rich lyrical depth not seen in pop music at the time. It not only features the hit "Wouldn't It Be Good," but danceable gems "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," "Dancing Girls" and "Gone To Pieces." Plus the ode to a film legend "Bogart." The mournful ballad "Human Racing" brings back sense memories of nights at New England beaches. Kershaw's first CD is not perfect but shows genuine moments of all the brilliance that was yet to come.
When Nik Kershaw hit the stage (and tripped) at Live Aid the world took notice. That combined with heavy video play for "Wouldn't It Be Good" and the title track of his second CD "The Riddle" really raised his profile. His second CD titled "The Riddle" soon followed and remains his best known work. Mainly due to the fact that the original U.S. version of the album had "Wouldn't It Be Good" tacked on it as well to capitalize of the radio and video play. The sound of the disc expanded on the keyboard driven synth pop style of his debut while adding a healthy dose of crunchy guitars for pure perfection.
The tracks are as catchy as they are smart. As inspired as they are though provoking. A pretty tall order for three and a half minute pop songs. "The Riddle," "Wide Boy," "Easy" and "Don Quixote" (Kershaw loves to write about historical figures) are perfect examples of 1980s songs that really rocked. This disc is a great intro to anyone new to Nik's music. "The Riddle" should have been the album that turned Nik Kershaw into an international superstar along the lines of Howard Jones. Sadly, that never happened. He seemed to disappear from the music scene completely, at least in America.
The tracks are as catchy as they are smart. As inspired as they are though provoking. A pretty tall order for three and a half minute pop songs. "The Riddle," "Wide Boy," "Easy" and "Don Quixote" (Kershaw loves to write about historical figures) are perfect examples of 1980s songs that really rocked. This disc is a great intro to anyone new to Nik's music. "The Riddle" should have been the album that turned Nik Kershaw into an international superstar along the lines of Howard Jones. Sadly, that never happened. He seemed to disappear from the music scene completely, at least in America.
To the best of my knowledge his third CD "Radio Musicola" didn't even get a stateside release. It is was it wasn't widely promoted. I discovered the album existed while on a trip to London in the early 1990s. Probably 1990 or 1991. While digging through the bargain cassette tape bin (again with the tapes) of a British Department store I found "Radio Musicola." One listen and I was hooked. I played the tape over and over again during the a six hour train ride from England to Scotland.
The huge shame is that "Radio Musicola" should have been a big crossover success. It is packed with bright and bouncy tunes. The singles "Nobody Knows," "What The Papers Say" and "Running Scared" are amazing songs. The title track, which samples several U.S. DJs, dares you not to sing along. And the ballads are "Violet To Blue" and "L.A.B.A.T.Y.D." are beautiful. The CD features top notch musicians including Rupert Greenwald from The Fixx, Drummer Simon Phillips and Paul McCartney cohort Wix on keys.
The huge shame is that "Radio Musicola" should have been a big crossover success. It is packed with bright and bouncy tunes. The singles "Nobody Knows," "What The Papers Say" and "Running Scared" are amazing songs. The title track, which samples several U.S. DJs, dares you not to sing along. And the ballads are "Violet To Blue" and "L.A.B.A.T.Y.D." are beautiful. The CD features top notch musicians including Rupert Greenwald from The Fixx, Drummer Simon Phillips and Paul McCartney cohort Wix on keys.
I could easy say that "Radio Musicola" is my favorite Nik CD if not for the fact that its follow up, 1989's "The Works" is yet another giant leap forward. Again, this CD never saw the light of day in the USA. I had to hunt down a Japanese import copy from a dealer in Texas before the internet or iTunes existed. "The Works" is, in a word, Amazing! It is full of well blended and well (not over) produced pop.
The epic "One World" should have been the theme to an Olympic closing ceremony with thousands of multiracial kids filling a stadium with Kershaw's catchy chorus. Nik revisited his love of history on two tracks "Wounded Knee" and the lovely "Elizabeth's Eyes" which tells the tale of a letter writing exchange between a prisoner on death row and Queen Elizabeth. "Lady On The Phone" seems like the perfect AC (Adult Contemporary) single and even features backing vocals courtesy of the smooth croon of Michael McDonald. The track "Don't Ask Me" is the most clever assemblage of word play and hooky instrumentation you've never heard.
After "The Works" failed to break Nik Kershaw wide he simple vanished behind the scenes in the music business. Content to work as a sessions musician, songwriter (Elton John calls him the most brilliant ever) and producer of U.K. pop acts including Chesney Hawkes. Ten years passed with no new recorded tunes from the diminutive genius. Only the occasional "Best Of" disc would hit the bins to remind us of what we were missing.
The epic "One World" should have been the theme to an Olympic closing ceremony with thousands of multiracial kids filling a stadium with Kershaw's catchy chorus. Nik revisited his love of history on two tracks "Wounded Knee" and the lovely "Elizabeth's Eyes" which tells the tale of a letter writing exchange between a prisoner on death row and Queen Elizabeth. "Lady On The Phone" seems like the perfect AC (Adult Contemporary) single and even features backing vocals courtesy of the smooth croon of Michael McDonald. The track "Don't Ask Me" is the most clever assemblage of word play and hooky instrumentation you've never heard.
After "The Works" failed to break Nik Kershaw wide he simple vanished behind the scenes in the music business. Content to work as a sessions musician, songwriter (Elton John calls him the most brilliant ever) and producer of U.K. pop acts including Chesney Hawkes. Ten years passed with no new recorded tunes from the diminutive genius. Only the occasional "Best Of" disc would hit the bins to remind us of what we were missing.
Then again randomly in 1999 I stumbled upon a new CD from Kershaw titled "15 Minutes." This time in a Tower Records in Santa Monica, CA (Lord I miss Tower.) The disc was released by Rhino Records, a label I had worked with during my days at Capitol. If I, the worlds biggest Nik Kershaw fan didn't know about the Cd I imagine no one else did as well. sadly at the time I was not in touch with my friends who still worked at Rhino and missed my chance to see him perform acoustically in their tiny Burbank conference room. I missed the chance for a photo op and chat with my hero. I have very few regrets in life. This is one. Maybe it was for the best?
The disc itself is a welcome return with him updating his sound to a modern document full soaring vocals and heartfelt (and heart breaking) songs. "Somebody Loves You," "Billy" and "Fiction" are stand out tracks. As is the title cut "15 Minutes," which pokes full at fame and Kershaw's "One Hit Wonder" status.
The disc itself is a welcome return with him updating his sound to a modern document full soaring vocals and heartfelt (and heart breaking) songs. "Somebody Loves You," "Billy" and "Fiction" are stand out tracks. As is the title cut "15 Minutes," which pokes full at fame and Kershaw's "One Hit Wonder" status.
Two years later he would release the impressive "To Be Frank" to little Fanfare. The CD's lead single "Wounded" was his most adventurous track to date. It blended Latin beats with flamenco style guitar for a high energy dance party. While "How Sad," "Jane Doe," "Get Up" and "Die Laughing" were perfect examples of his renewed interest in crafting the finest songs ever recorded. But like many of his efforts in the past, he failed to capture the mass audience he had long deserved.
Another best of called "Then & Now" followed and would be of no real note if not for the fact that it included his collaboration with EDM DJ Les Rhythm Digital "Sometimes" and Elton John "Old Friends" plus four brand new tracks. Two of which are the best he has ever written. "Dangerous Eyes" the cautionary tale of office romance gone wrong and Kershaw's response the 911 tragedy "Times Like These." If you are looking for a great sampler platter of Nik Kershaw's career this compilation is the way to go. Even though it is import only it's worth the price.
After that release Kershaw took a turn that is very popular among many artists who have tired of the major label machine--he went indie. Releasing his next CD himself through his website. While not perfect, "You've Got To Laugh" features some solid moments including "Old House," "Can't Get Arrested" and his not so loving tribute to George W. Bush "Loud, Confident & Wrong." Kershaw sounds relaxed and free on this album, with his voice in fine form.
His next self released project was a disc fans had been requesting for years. "No Frills" is just Kershaw solo acoustic playing stripped down hits and favorite tracks. Hearing tracks like "The Riddle," "Wouldn't It Be Good" and "Somebody Loves You" sans any production and laid bare showcase exactly what makes them so great. Pure songwriting perfection. The highlight for me is his take on "Oxygen" a track he wrote for Petula Clark. It was also recorded by Richard Page of Mr. Mister fame.
2013's offering "Eight" is a mellow understated affair full of sadness and hope. "The Skies The Limit" may be his most mature work to date. I have toi admit I have spent the least amount of time listening to this CD of all the discs he has released. Damn kids!
Lately, Kershaw, who had long been opposed to anything nostalgia related, has been performing live at several 80's themed festival (including "Rewind") in the U.K. Even playing his debut CD "Human Racing" live in it's entirety on the heels of the CD getting a 2 disc deluxe reissue. Seems he is finally okay with his past. Or he needs the cash. His upcoming 2014 fall tour features him playing career spanning acoustic sets. I can only hope that he will bring his stripped sown performance to America. Nik Kershaw is a pop genius. That explains why this is to date my longest Music Appreciation Society. Get the "Then & Now" best of CD as an intro. "The Riddle" and "Human Racing" are also available on import from amazon.co.uk. For his later works visit www.nikkershaw.net
Lately, Kershaw, who had long been opposed to anything nostalgia related, has been performing live at several 80's themed festival (including "Rewind") in the U.K. Even playing his debut CD "Human Racing" live in it's entirety on the heels of the CD getting a 2 disc deluxe reissue. Seems he is finally okay with his past. Or he needs the cash. His upcoming 2014 fall tour features him playing career spanning acoustic sets. I can only hope that he will bring his stripped sown performance to America. Nik Kershaw is a pop genius. That explains why this is to date my longest Music Appreciation Society. Get the "Then & Now" best of CD as an intro. "The Riddle" and "Human Racing" are also available on import from amazon.co.uk. For his later works visit www.nikkershaw.net
With Chesney Hawkes
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