Back in the early ’80s, Willie Nile was one of a host of talented blue-collar rockers being touted as “the next Springsteen.” He certainly had some of that same aura, with his Dylanesque vocals and lyrics that injected a streak of romanticism into their unflinching look at heartbreak and hard times. Nile had a folkier, more intimate style though that lacked Springsteen’s grandeur/pomposity.
But following a pair of critically acclaimed albums in 1980 and 1981 (and quite a bit of airplay here in Cleveland), his career fizzled and he vanished from the public eye.
That was a shame. His finely crafted songs and energetic live performances that reeked of authenticity should have at least given him a devoted cult following.
He released a smattering of underexposed albums over the next 25 years. But he seems to be picking up momentum now. He’s just released American Ride, his third album in four years. It mines the same timeless turf as his older work in 11 originals and a cover of Jim Carroll’s wrenchingly offhanded “People Who Died.”
“There are songs about the rights of man, songs about freedom, songs about love and hate, songs about loss, songs about God and the absence of God, and songs about standing up for your fellow man,” says the press release for the album.
And he’s been touring more extensively than ever, which brings him to the Winchester this week. Tickets are $15.
Photo by Jeff Fasano