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The Blue Nile

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The Blue Nile is an adult alternative/pop band from Glasgow, Scotland, known for their perfectionist work ethic and long gaps between releases. In their 25 years of existence, the band has released only four records, although all four have received glowing critical praise. Critics have also noted that much of the band's success has come from word-of-mouth, as fans of The Blue Nile are only too happy to introduce others to their music.

The music of The Blue Nile is built heavily on synthesizers and electronic instrumentation and percussion, although later works have featured acoustic guitar more prominently. Despite the "coldness" often associated with the use of such electronic instruments, The Blue Nile has managed to create music that is deeply emotional, and a lot of this has to do with the plaintive vocals of lead singer Paul Buchanan, whom critics have often compared to Peter Gabriel. The lyrics are often stream-of-consciousness descriptions of feelings and environments, which heighten the drama of the compositions, which are as much soundscapes as they are songs.

The band was formed when friends Buchanan and Paul Joseph Moore met Robert Bell shortly after graduating from the University of Glasgow in the late 1970s. Although their individual degrees didn't reflect their future career trajectory (English Literature, Electronics and Mathematics, respectively), their mutual friendship grew out of their shared interest in music, and they began writing and recording together. They formed their own label, Peppermint Records, on which they released their first single, "I Love This Life," which was later picked up and issued by RSO Records. Soon afterward, RSO was absorbed into Polygram, and The Blue Nile's first single disappeared from view, as did the band.

Still, the trio kept writing and recording over the next couple of years, including a couple of tracks that would later surface on their debut album. When local Hi-Fi manufacturer Linn Electronics heard their music, the company offered the band money to record a track that would showcase the sonic range of the company's high-end audio equipment. Linn was so pleased with the result, they formed their own record label in order to release The Blue Nile's debut, A Walk Across the Rooftops, in 1984. Although it received positive reviews, it sold modestly.

After a prolonged delay in which an entire album's worth of work was scrapped, The Blue Nile released Hats in 1989 to rave reviews, including a rare five-star rating from Q magazine. This album, which explores the highs and lows of romantic love, is considered by most critics and listeners to be the band's most enduring work. At the time, Hats reached #12 on the UK album charts and even slipped into the Billboard 200 in the United States. Rickie Lee Jones, a huge fan of the band, personally selected The Blue Nile as her opening act for her 1990 tour. She would later record a duet with them, a cover of the band's own "Easter Parade," which was featured as a B-side to the single "Headlights on the Parade."

In 1993, the band worked on Annie Lennox's debut album, Diva; she in turn covered "The Downtown Lights," from Hats, for her album Medusa, released in 1995.

A year later, The Blue Nile finally released their long-anticipated follow-up to Hats, entitled Peace at Last. In a radical departure from the band's prior two albums, the record is primarily driven by Buchanan's acoustic guitar. Even a gospel choir makes a brief appearance on the leadoff single, "Happiness." Despite the release of Peace at Last on a major label, the album sold poorly, and the critical reaction to the album was more mixed. However, "Family Life" was singled out for praise by most critics and listeners, many of whom consider it an instant classic.

After the longest gestation period between albums--eight years--The Blue Nile released High in 2004. Although acoustic guitar is still present on some tracks, the overall musical sound is more reminiscent of Hats, and as a result, the record has once again received almost universal critical praise.

Contents

Current Activity

Paul Buchanan and Robert Bell toured England and Scotland in May and June 2006, billed as "Paul Buchanan sings the songs of The Blue Nile". The band consisted of Paul Buchanan, vocals and guitar; Robert Bell, bass guitar and keyboards; Alan Cuthbertson, keyboards ; Stuart McCredie, guitar; Liam Bradley, drums. The future of The Blue Nile under that name is unclear in the light of this tour.

Discography

Singles

Non-album single:

From A Walk Across the Rooftops:
  1. "Stay" (remix) / "Saddle the Horses" (Linn, 1984)
  2. "Tinseltown in the Rain" / "Heatwave" (Instrumental) (Linn, 1984) (7" single)
  3. "Tinseltown in the Rain" / "Regret" / "Heatwave" (Instrumental) (Linn, 1984) (12" single)
From Hats:
  1. "The Downtown Lights" / "The Wires are Down" / "Halfway to Paradise" (Linn/Virgin, 1989)
  2. "Headlights on the Parade" (Bob Clearmountain remix) / "Headlights on the Parade" (LP Version) / "Easter Parade (with Rickie Lee Jones)" (Linn/Virgin, 1989)
  3. "Saturday Night" (edit) / "Seven A.M." (Live USA NYC) / "Saturday Night" (LP version) (Linn/Virgin, 1989) (CD5 version 1)
  4. "Saturday Night" (edit) / "Our Lives (1. Lost / 2. Bolivia / 3. New York)" / "Saturday Night" (LP version) (Linn/Virgin, 1989) (CD5 version 2)
From Peace at Last:
  1. "Happiness" (edit) / "O Lolita" / "War is Love" (A Different Day) (Warner Bros., 1996) (CD5 version 1)
  2. "Happiness" (edit) / "New York Man" / "Wish Me Well" (Warner Bros., 1996) (CD5 version 2)
From High:
  1. "I Would Never" / "I Love This Life" / "The Second Act" (Sanctuary, 2004)
  2. "She Saw the World" / "Soul Boy" (remix) (Sanctuary, 2005)

Collaborations with other artists

External links

 

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