Customer Reviews

Nigel Lived 1972

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This is a sterling debut album from vocalist Murray Head, who sang the role of Judas Iscariot in the hit rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Originally released in 1972, " NIGEL LIVED" is a concept album made of 14 tracks of well written songs performed by a barrage of talented musicians utilizing dozens of instruments and augmented with natural sounds (chirping birds, crowd noises, trains, etc.). All of which create a platform highlighting Murray's unique and fantastic vocals. Although "NIGEL LIVED" borrows elements from SUPERSTAR, I wouldn't call it a rock album. In fact, it is hard to categorize: somtimes bluesy, other times jazzy, and the song "Ruthie" is one of the most beautiful love ballads I've ever heard from anyone. And, there's a bit of the Judas character here,too; pondering "Have I paved the way to hell?" in one cut and scathingly attacking institution in "Religion". . . "did they crucify their God just for show?" A well recorded and even album, featuring guitarist Mark Warner, drummers Cozy Powell and Michael Giles, saxaphonist Chris Mercer, and trumpeter Henry Lowther amongst others. A MUST HAVE for anyone who collects music from different genres.

O.K., ...here's the scam.....i've been a big Murray Head FAN, ..EVER SINCE I HEARD HIS MEGA-CLASSIC early 70's 'hit' , "Say it ain't so, Joe"(from self-same l.p.), however , i did manage to back-track, way back when vinyl was still king, & discovered , with a few of my closest friends, this earlier 'gem'!!"Nigel lived ", was/is indeed a 70's 'concept' album(it took me a while to realise this!), ...and a superb, for the most part, album it is!!The opening tracks chime in the feelings of life as it monotonously drags on in the average city(London) rat-race!!..the lyrics to this album were some of Murray's very best...his voice , more high -pitched & even perhaps more excellently expressive than usual!"Ruthie", a lover of merit, remains one of Nigel's most touching songs..a beautiful, beautiful song-still!"Dole".the subject matter being obvious, too, is an excellent ditty(check out Mr. Mike Giles drumming , here-fabulous licks!)..Perhaps my favuorite song , on this excelleny early Murray Head album, though, remains -"Religion"..now this will always be a timeless classic, & one of his most memorable songs("they tell me that Religion isn't such a new thing, it started many years ago, did you ever stop to ask them what the hell they were doing, did they crucify their God just for show"??)..grrrrweat lyrics, that really have stood the test of time!!This re-release , now on c.d., is an acquired taste, but comes highly recommended!!!!
Then, get "Say it ain't so , Joe", &"Shade"..and discover the Genius of Murray Head!!!!!-BUY!!!!

I bought this Wonderful album on its release date way back in 1972 on the back of Murray`s "Judas" and him starring in "Sunday Bloody Sunday", I did read that only about 6 to 8 copies was sold the year it was released and I bought two of them!
Its a truly Wonderful album that it has been mentioned can not be categorized really.
I agree about Ruthie such a beautiful song, in her Petal Overcoat. :-)
Just take a listen to "Pity The Poor Consumer" I think its as true and still as relevant today.
I think its a crying shame that it was not better received that year but then again its not exactly "Ziggy Stardust" is it.
I am just glad that others have now discovered this hidden treasure.
Try digging for another little known album by Paul Jones (Ex Manfred Mann) called Crucifix In A Horseshoe another totally underrated album IMHO.

Andrew.

Forget that Murray Head sang the lead in the English production of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Just forget that, and enjoy Head's great, rich, "Winwoody" voice, accompanied by Peter Robinson on real keyboards such as piano, prepared piano, and cathedral organ. The songs are excellent, and the production is superb, with some nice string quartet thrown in. "Religion" is a standout cut, as are "Ruthie" and "Nigel, Nigel" which intros with strings only against Head's great voice. "Pity The Poor Consumer" gives you an idea of the impossibly wide range of his voice, with Pete Robinson (Quatermass, Shawn Phillips, Brand X) playing the on-location cathedral organ. A real overlooked gem of an album, I'm glad to have lived with it for all these years. Thank you, Murray Head, for a timeless work.