Album review: NICK WATERHOUSE – Promenade Blue

Bandcamp [Release date 09.04.21]

Nick Waterhouse has been making music since the early 2000’s, playing a mix of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll. His new album sees him working alongside producer Paul Butler (the Bees, Michael Kiwanuka, the Young Folk).

A Spector Wall of Sound on ‘Place Names’ starts the album off. The female backing vocals, crisp drum, swirling strings, all combine together to make this a strong opening salvo off the album.

‘The Spanish Look’ is a swinger with do-wop, r & b and soul – this song packs it all in. If Quentin Tarantino ever remakes ‘Pulp Fiction’ this should be on the soundtrack.

The organ and tight drumbeat on ‘Pushing Too Hard’ work well together. Listen out for the cheeky Kinks riff on the organ too.

Touch of jazz on the instrumental ‘Promene Blue’, with its subtle guitar and piano interplay. Never thought this particular reviewer would be raving about jazz! ‘Fugitive Lover’ has a deep bass vocal leading off each verse. Very 50’s in sound, the added brass flourishes add even more to the overall sound.

Nick Waterhouse is an artist born out of time (and gains kudos for sharing the same birthday as me!) as back in the late 50’s/early 60’s he’d have been a regular on the charts. Nevertheless, this is a fine album steeped in the classic rock n roll, r ‘n’ b and soul sounds of that era, with a modern shine.

A real time capsule of a record, enjoyable from start to finish. Marvellous stuff. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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