Willie Nile

Willie Nile, one of the most respected yet still underrated singer/songwriters from Manhattan, has managed to embark on a sonic ride that’s worth checking out!

Nile, whose live performances are legendary, and who is held in high esteem by the likes of Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch and Little Steven to name but a few, has also opened for The Who touring their US tour, and sang on stage with Springsteen.

This bit of namedropping should give a hint at what lies in store on American Ride (musically speaking), and while the ride is steering towards the left side, there is no reason why one or the other song shouldn’t receive some repeated airplay!
Just like a road trip across the USA, the musical styles of the album’s twelve tracks range from folk to rock, from pop to swing, and more.
Accompanied by eleven musicians who seemingly master just about every instrument, Nile not only sings but also plays the guitar as well as the piano.

The upbeat and bubbly ‘This Is Our Time’ is a call to embrace time, place, and the moment in human race. “Can you feel the power, can you feel the drive?” asks Nile, and we sure can - listening to the catchy chorus, while a punchy beat runs through the entire arrangement.
‘Life On Bleecker Street’ equally charms with its concoction of pop rock infused with a hefty dose of highly observant beat poetry, and a mocking sense of humour. Singing about all the misfits, locals and strangers who make this particular stretch colourful, Nile observes: “This is life on Bleecker Street, where tourists shuffle to a boom box beat.”

As expected, the title song ‘American Ride’ throws on countless references, and our troubadour is headin’ down to Memphis on the 419, lookin’ for Elvis Presley and the Reverend Green. Musically though, it’s less Elvis. Instead, the folky Americana vibe echoes early Dylan and Arlo Guthrie, while the ghost of Kerouac stands by the roadside, waving. Once again, brilliant lyrics (“The moon is on the rise, the country is in disguise…”) and a laidback feel turn this ride into something magical.

The keyboard-dominated ‘If I Ever See The Light’ combines great harmonies with effective hooks that sit nicely next to the keys – it’s a mid-paced rocker reminiscent of The Boss, and a fine track at that.
We get a wonderfully dreamy vibe with ‘She’s Got My Heart’ – a gently delivered love song full of passion, and a textured tune that would do the late great Willy DeVille justice.

Pace and beat are on the up again on ‘God Laughs’, probably one of the most controversial songs about God, but delivered with irony and humour that proper Christians would find blasphemous. Then again, a proper Christian probably wouldn’t listen to the album in the first place. The song depicts God as an ordinary fella like you and me, who gets up and eats toast, despairs while watching the news on TV, and does what humans do. Deadpan lyrics depict God as a hard-working tour guide who’s busy taking everybody to heaven and hell, while the rhythm is punchier still.

Nile’s take on Jim Carroll’s ‘People Who Died’ remains true to the spirit of The Basketball Diaries poet/punk musician. The track explodes with appropriate garage rock grit, though Nile’s obvious skills as a bona fide singer shine through and make things sound less edgy.
However, it gets a lot grittier and grungier during ‘Holy War’, a song that not only deals with the ongoing trauma of 9/11, but terrorist acts committed in the name of religious fanaticism in general. The killer line “God is great but you’re not” says it all, and it should make for a wicked in-your-face T-shirt logo!

The bouncy and uplifting ‘Say Hey’ is one hell of a swing number, with fantastic horn arrangements and a big feel-good factor. That also goes for ‘Sunrise In New York City’ – you’d swear the Big Apple is the jolliest place in the States upon hearing it.

‘The Crossing’ is a melancholy ballad played out on the grand piano, stripped to the bare essentials. Nile’s voice stirs the emotions when he sings about all the battles fought and sacrifices made in the name of freedom, but ultimately there is no such thing as true freedom. Heavy stuff indeed, and you’re inclined to follow his invite to raise a glass to the occasion.

Final number ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ is a cheerful and spirited everyone-clap-along-now ditty about, well, someone who’s been there, done that (including partying with the Rolling Stones), but at the end of the day, there’s no place like home. Dorothy in ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ said it first, and Mr. Nile obviously agrees.

American Ride is well-versed rock ‘n’ roll balladry for those who like to employ their brain cells when listening to music, and I’ll be damned if Willie Nile shouldn’t do well with the album.