Customer Reviews

The Essential Nik Kershaw

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a compilation of Nik Kershaw's best songs. Having been underrated as both a songwriter and performer, these songs give a nice overview of the various hits he's had and the variety of styles in which Nik kershaw can be recognised.
Who doesn't remember megahits like "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Wouldn't It Be Good", and "Riddle" in their orginal setting? To your surmprise, you may find there's a lot more great Nik Kershaw songs, each of them as original and well produced as all of these near powerpop megasellers.
Although it does't cover songs from his latest CD's, it is good to hear litle masterpieces like "Bogart", "Wild Horses" and especially "Radio Musicola" which shoud be played loud on a solid stereo. The lyrics being what they are, from sometimes endearingly naive to sharply sarcastic, every song is a gem.
If you do not own any of Nik Kershaw's music, this is a very good start. It will get you asking for more. Rest assured, there is lots more on the Nik Kershaw CD's, including his latest ones. Nik Kershaw been one of the finest songwriters and best producers of powerpop material since the middle eighties.
Still very much underrated. This is the proof of the pudding.

I saw Nik in concert in Bristol March 1999 and he was brilliant. This is an essential CD for those who follow 80's throwbacks, which I too follow. I have been into nik since his beginning, have all his singles and albums. All these tracks are on the LP's and are a nice addition to the other stuff.

Keep on rocking Nik and we are all looking forward to Wounded and the New album in 2001......

These are all of the original songs from the original album (my original "album" was actually a cassette tape, egads). It took me back to the 80's. If you loved Nik then you will love him now.

Nik Kershaw is an amazing singer and songwriter, and he really stands out from the pack. I was really blown away by all the songs on this set, and I'm not the easiest person to impress when it comes to music. Sometimes I think that Nik's albums ought to carry warning labels: Contains catchy, hook-laden melodies and clever, insightful lyrics. May cause listener to want to sing along, or get up and dance, or both. :)

I only knew Nik Kershaw by the song Wouldn't Be Good a big hit in the eights-my favorite song. Purchasing his CD I got to know other songs by him and I like what I hear. Wide Boy is a good song a typical 80's song and The Riddle is a good one too. He gives his other songs different sounds that makes you want to listen. You may not what to listen to them everyday but on occasion. A good collection of songs. I'm glad I bought the CD.

This CD is certainly essential. It is also delightful,
melodic and intelligent songwriting.Many of us confuse
Nik Kershaw with Howard Jones and vice versa. And many
disagree or become annoyed at the reference. But most
should know that both of them emerged from the synthezised
pop world of England in the 1980's.

Howard Jones is a trained classical pianist, who later
taught piano and then landed a recording contract. Nik
Kershaw worked in an employment office, and then left to
spend time making "tapes" so that he too could entice a
record company.In returning to this CD,"The Essential"
we notice a lack of horn section and the prominence of
funk type bass. On the tracks "One Step Ahead", and
"Don Quioxte", we are treated to the sixteenth note slap
and pop style of Mark King.[Also from England]

Dennis Smith, the bass player with Nick's backing band
"The Krew", seems to handle the other tracks well. Keeping
up with Mark King would be hazardous to most bass player's
health, and so credit is due. One could only wish that extended
mixes [12"] were on this EP. Especially "Radio Musicola" with
it's loopy bass line.Nik and Howard have served the music
industry and their fans well.They have thrilled people on a
global basis, and both artists are now over 50 years old. Still
playing and enjoying life.Due to the excellence of the studio
recording on this CD [the mix]your money would be invested well
if you decided to buy.

It baffled me when I heard the music on video programs in the 80's that it wasn't getting well received on the pop charts and I vowed back then that one day I would explore Kershaw's music more thoroughly. It took me over 20 years but I finally made good on it. I am as pleased with the music as I was then.

This is catchy, jazz-like rhythm with playful lyrics that are compelling without all the preachy tirades you might get in the more common 80's intellectual songs. Some of the songs may seem more eccentric but all have something catchy and enjoyable. A unique 80's experience for those who only know the U.S. chart-toppers.

The classic Nik Kershaw, with all my old favorites. His newer stuff is good too, but these have the nostalgia factor to send them over the top.

I was looking for one particular song ang found it on this CD. I could not find it to download and figured buying the whole CD was worth the cost for this one song.

Not many tracks are worth listening besides the couple that made the charts in the 80's