Any Nik Kershaw fans in these parts?

grappagreen

Obviously in the dim and distant past for many (or completely unknown to the youngsters) but fuck me Nik's song writing is just up there with anything else I've ever listened to..

I've lost a bit of love of listening to music over the past couple of years - no idea why. In order to stave of the boredom of long commutes I worked through all of Nik's stuff in chronological order over the last few weeks again. Listening to the early stuff took me back to my yoof and man it's soooo good to hear it again. Not just because it's so familiar (I literally wore the vinyl stuff out) but it's so f'kin amazing. So much depth to the lyrics, harmonic and rhythmic twists and turns and packaged in a way that can be digested by mortals. His later stuff is just as good and what makes me smile is the fact that his lyrical content seems to have moved in parallel with the things in my life so just as relevant to me. 

Good job he's a shit guitarist - err no.. his guitar playing is awesome as well.

Listening again reminded my of the reason I pretty much stopped writing tunes; Nik has written every song I ever wanted to!

Of course you may think he's shit and that's cool too

Si

Roland

He is the one and only

grappagreen

Roland said:

He is the one and only

The first time I heard that tune I turned to my then girlfriend and said 'Wow that sounds just like a Nik Kershaw song'

danishbacon

Well, as good an opportunity as any to share one of my favourite 80s tracks, though I must admit I’ve not listened to much else of his. 

https://youtu.be/bDygS0a6Tgo

Philly_Q

Never bought any of his records, but I thought he had some really good songs.  And I kind of identified with him because he was a small blondish person and played a custom guitar (with a Kahler!) which looked similar to my Hamer Special.

Jalapeno

mis-read "Any Nick" as Andy

Yes to both as it happens

grappagreen

Of course his older stuff has probably dated badly... I mean what relevance today do songs like 'What the Papers Say', 'Human Racing', 'Wide Boy' have As for my musical malaise 'Radio Musicola' pretty much sums that up as well..  lol

As for guitar playing I could pick a few but have a listen to 'City of Angels' if you can be bothered.. one of many short but amazing pieces of guitar playing littered across Nik's stuff..

springhead

Hadn't thought of him in years until the singer in our lockdown formed band suggested we do this, or me (on guitar) and him with possibly bass and drums coming in on the chorus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXaCmRWUKYo 

Learning and playing this version made me appreciate the original more. 

Plus I remember an early Guitarist magazine feature on his custom made double cutaway guitar.  Looked lovely and helped fuel the itch I already had for a DC Les Paul Special.  Sorted that out a few years later!

EricTheWeary

I saw him live when he was sort of at the peak of his fame. I'm guessing 1984? My memory of it is that there weren't many other blokes in that audience. However, I also remember it as much more of a rock gig than I'd imagined as he added guitar solos to a lot of the stuff and Keith Airey ( brother of Don) alternated between guitar and keys. Fond if somewhat vague set of memories. I can't say I kept track of him but I do have a soft spot for him.    

octatonic

Wouldn't it be good to get a new album?

sweepy

He's a huge Holdsworth fan and paid for him to come to the UK and do a few Gigs, this alone makes him worthy . The solo on Wouldn't it be good was actually recorded one note at a time to achieve the clipped approach and note seperation

viz

i just posted this video on another thread, and I urge anyone who loves Nik Kershaw’s music to watch it. It’s brilliantly explained and it opens our ears and minds up to how he manipulates musical forms to make us want to dance and grin stupidly. 

https://youtu.be/fpD19zBWimY

tone1

He was my 3in10 on Popmaster….. so I love him to bits….

CaseOfAce

viz said:

i just posted this video on another thread, and I urge anyone who loves Nik Kershaw’s music to watch it. It’s brilliantly explained and it opens our ears and minds up to how he manipulates musical forms to make us want to dance and grin stupidly. 

https://youtu.be/fpD19zBWimY

Crikey - I had no idea this was on youtube... that's absolutely fantastic.

He's one of the reasons I picked up guitar in the first place. I always found it frustrating that on his first 4 albums his guitar work is not more prominent and buried within the busy mix of the synths and production... but from the live clips I saw you could see him showcase it more.

I finally got to see him live back in 1999  at the Jazz Cafe in London after he'd come out of "retirement" and was slightly disappointed he'd gone Fake Plastic Trees / acoustic Radiohead - and didn't play electric that night...

I'd be tongue tied if I ever met the fella - by all accounts he's a smashing guy with a quick wit.

Oh - and take a listen to this intro... (shivers down the spine time...)

grappagreen

viz said:

i just posted this video on another thread, and I urge anyone who loves Nik Kershaw’s music to watch it. It’s brilliantly explained and it opens our ears and minds up to how he manipulates musical forms to make us want to dance and grin stupidly. 

https://youtu.be/fpD19zBWimY

Thanks so much for posting this... absolutely brill and super insightful..

Gassage

Kershaw was brilliant but this is absolutely bloody wonderful.

What a song. Love Carol.

Hurling_Fruitmig

danishbacon said:

Well, as good an opportunity as any to share one of my favourite 80s tracks, though I must admit I’ve not listened to much else of his. 

https://youtu.be/bDygS0a6Tgo

I'd forgotten how odd that was, especially the video.

grappagreen

Gassage said:

Kershaw was brilliant but this is absolutely bloody wonderful.

What a song. Love Carol.

Agreed.

Gassage said:

Kershaw was brilliant but this is absolutely bloody wonderful.

What a song. Love Carol.

I don't think I could ever disagree more about something..

Each to their own however and I'm glad it brings you joy.

Si

distressed

From The Works, one of my fav 80s albums