MUSIC
ladies’ MAN Paolo Nutini already has a global female fan-base. BARRY BEGG considers the Scottish singer-songwriter’s singular appeal
W
omen of all ages love him. Some want to care for him, mother him and smother him. Seduced by his distinctively soulful, gravelly, unapologetically Glaswegian voice, many want to rip his clothes off and do unspeakable things to him. But given his boyish Latino looks and intriguing vocal style, I guess it’s easy to understand Paolo Nutini’s pin-up status. Granted, he often sounds a little drunk while warbling away at the microphone. But you could almost excuse Paolo’s management for slipping their young protégé a bottle of Jack Daniel’s finest before any gig if this really was all it took to deliver each riveting performance.
The truth, of course, is that Paolo sings from the soul; his vocal style is heartfelt and naked. It’s also incredibly mature. Which is why it is hard to believe the guy is still only 22. But then it’s also hard to believe anyone so young would name his foremost influences as Cab Calloway, Wynonie Harris and Louis Armstrong. “If I could lay it down and give you my favourite vocalists,” Paolo reveals, “it is those old ragtime swing crazy mad cats.” Paolo confesses that his hugely successful debut album These Streets was written “like a diary”. Tracks such as Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, New Shoes and Last Request, certainly endeared him to female audiences all around the world.
SCOTTISHWOMAN MAGAZINE
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MUSIC
That album sold 2.3 million records, including over 1.3 million in the UK alone. However, the wonderfully eclectic range of material on his new album looks set to broaden his appeal. I’m sure his existing female fans will stay true, but Paolo will surely no longer be an artist whose success depends on an ability to charm women. for the genuinely exhilarating thing about Sunny Side Up is that you have no idea where the next song is going to take you. It’s like being dragged backwards on a roller coaster with the lights out. Produced by Paolo and ethan Johns, this is a very positive, passionate and uplifting body of work. It showcases Paolo’s genuine love for an extraordinary range of musical styles, ranging from ska to folk to ragtime. “I don’t really have a genre or style that I feel a part of,” Paolo explains. “I skip from Django Reinhart to Cab Calloway to Canned Heat. It’s a bit of a random mish-mash.” Random, but brilliantly assured. for, the lyrics in this extremely confident new album portray an individual who is not only content with life, but who has worked out exactly who he is – and what’s important to him. one song that especially reflects Paolo’s current state of mind is Simple Things, a marvellous salute to his father, who has worked in the family’s Glasgow chip shop for forty years. It explores the joys and pleasures of this patriarch’s life with the depth of sincere sentiment that makes Paolo such an outstanding artist. Paolo’s achievements since the release of his debut album have been phenomenal. from playing Carnegie Hall and achieving a BRIT nomination to supporting led Zepplin at their 02 reunion show, the Paisley singer-songwriter has done Scotland proud. In 2007, he joined the Rolling Stones at the Isle of White festival, dueting with mick Jagger on the exceptional Love In Vain. He has also shared stages with George Duke, Buddy Williams, Cornell Dupree and Ben e King. more recently, he has appeared on Later with Jools Holland, performing three songs from the new album accompanied by Jools himself on the Hammond. He also performed at the Backstage live lounge Session at Radio one’s Big Weekend in Swindon. Yet, although he has become a very big star, success doesn’t seem to have affected Paolo nutini. from all accounts, he remains a down-to-earth, easy-going sort of guy. But the very bad news for all the ladies who hope to be serenaded in person by Paolo is that this great Scottish song-smith is taken. for, after a brief split from his childhood sweetheart, they are back together again. and the very positive vibe of Sunny Side Up suggests that their relationship must be better than ever. for the time being, ladies, it seems you’ll have to make do with the guy’s great new album.
PaOlO NUTiNi SUNNY SIDE UP
Paolo’s adoring female fan-base will be delighted to hear that Paisley’s stellar singer-songwriter is back, and that his distinctive voice is sounding every bit as good as it did on These Streets. This new album reveals diverse styles and influences, including Motown and Soul, with brass instruments featuring throughout to enrich the overall feel. 10/10 is the perfect opener. Candy is sure to be a hit, showcasing Paolo’s poignant vocals, backed up by the musical talents of his band The Vipers. Fascinatingly, I had no idea what was coming next. A delight! Label: Atlantic
daNiel MeRRiWeaTHeR LOVE & WAR
From busking on a street corner in Melbourne, to moving to Manhattan and recording an album with the hugely popular producer Mark Ronson, it is safe to say that Daniel Merriweather has had an interesting life of late. He has a strong, soulful voice that has already earned him chart-topping success with the single Change. This new album is acoustic folk fused with influences of Motown, and it has some nice touches throughout. Could You offers Ronson’s take on California Dreamin by the Mamas & The Papas, while Red, the standout track (with Sean Lennon on guitar), is deep and heartfelt – and certain to be a major hit when released as a single. Label: Columbia
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sOUNds OF sUMMeR dOVes
GeORGe HaRRisON
KINGDOM OF RUST
LET IT ROLL: SONGS BY GEORGE HARRISON
From starting out as a dance act known as Sub Sub, inspired by the Hacienda days of the late eighties, Doves have since become one of the best-loved bands in the country with songs like The Cedar Room and Catch The Sun. The title track of Kingdom of Rust (their fourth album) is a western-laden delight that is instantly engaging and has you reaching for the volume dial, while Jetstream offers glimpses of the band’s electronic-influenced past. Even if Doves are not your foremost musical preference, you’ll be hard pressed not to appreciate the hip moving Compulsion.
For the first time, all Harrison’s solo hits have been assembled in one collection. The result is an album featuring some of the greatest music ever written. Harrison was a twice-inducted member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. The collection treats you to My Sweet Lord, Isn’t It A Pity, along with live recordings of three timeless Harrison penned Beatle songs Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps – and (a personal favourite) Here Comes The Sun.
Label: Heavenly Records
Label: Capitol
JUsT JaCK
BOB dYlaN
Embers – an upbeat, string-laden track from this incredibly catchy album – is something you will probably be aware of, due to the extensive and richly deserved radio play it has already received. It seems a pity, however, that such a fine album and so interesting an artist should languish in the pejorative categorisation of pop. For, unlike the output of so many other pop stars, most of the material on this album was written and produced by the artist himself. Just Jack’s lyrics are about everyday life, delivered with razor sharp honesty and wit. 253, with outstanding harmonica and foot-tapping beat, and the simple but captivating The Day I Died make this album a triumph.
Credit has to be given to the legend that is Bob Dylan. Not only is he one of the greatest songwriters of all time, he’s prolific too. In fact, he has released forty-six albums. Already a folk phenomenon, Dylan has achieved new levels of commercial success in recent years. Together Through Life has hit the No 1 spot in the British album charts – and rightly so. The deluxe edition is specially recommended for its bonus CD of his 60-minute Theme Time Radio Hour, and a DVD with Roy Silver – Dylan’s first manager –The Lost Interview. He might be a legend . . . but, having just completed a UK tour, Dylan shows no signs of slowing down just yet.
ALL NIGHT CINEMA
Label: Mercury Records
TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE
Label: Columbia
SCOTTISHWOMAN MAGAZINE
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