A Walk Across the Rooftops

Blue Nile | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 27, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B00000I3JM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,899 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Available again at a lower price. Deleted in the U.S., the Glaswegian trio's acclaimed 1984 debut album. Contains seven tracks, including 'Tinseltown In The Rain' and 'Stay'. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Achingly beautiful, December 23, 1999

By 

Michael Paulsen (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Walk Across the Rooftops (Audio CD)

Still my favorite of Blue Nile's three albums, "Walk Across the Rooftops" is a gorgeous debut that nicely bridges acoustic instruments with synthetic instruments -- like the ubiquitous Linn drums -- in an era when synthpop was everywhere. (The album was originally released on Linn Records, by the way.) Paul Buchanan's voice is introspective, aching and sincere, though it may sound a bit peculiar to those unaccustomed to it. "Stay" was the prominent (and excellent) single from the album, but "Tinseltown in the Rain" is by far the stunner on the album -- magnificent despite its unusual blend of sounds with its lush string arrangements, crunchy bass, percussive guitar and Linn drum claps ... absolutely one of my all-time favorite songs from the 80's. This song alone is worth the price of the album (too bad it's out of print in the States). "Heatwave" and "Walk Across the Rooftops" are other standouts. The other, softer tracks are minimalist yet paint vivid, impressionistic scenes. The Blue Nile succeed on this album in truly creating a form of aural poetry, that they were also able to duplicate on subsequent albums, but don't miss this one!

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rightfully Questioning Spirit, February 4, 2004

By 

John D. Dooley "PhiloX" (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Walk Across the Rooftops (Audio CD)

Many years ago I received through the mail a Folk Music catalog featuring an interview with Rickie Lee Jones during her "Pop Pop" period. In the article she discussed her influences naming a lot of folk artists including "The Blue Nile". I never heard of the group, but I always respected Rickie Lee Jones creativity, therefore I bought the CD "Walk Across the Rooftops". When I first dropped it into the CD player I heard a strange rock beat with a conning male singer bouncing from one vocal range to another. It was not a trained voice, but very rough around the edges, yet emotional & very human. The next song "Tinseltown in the Rain" was very `POP', danceable with a straighter beat than the pervious song. "This is Folk? What was Rickie Lee Jones talking about?"

After the initial shock & a few more listens, I extremely fell in love with this CD. This is one of those CD's that grows on you with each listen. The inner notes did not have the words of the songs, which maybe a good thing because it forces you to pay attention. The later songs `Seem' to question God: "From Rags to Riches" & "Easter Parade" & mere existence: "Stay" & "Heatwave".

"From Rags to Riches" maybe about the Jewish exodus from Egypt to the promised land with references to `Joseph's colored coat' yet at the same time about modern life with its struggles of poverty & promises of riches. In some ways it's a prayer to God about what seems to be his broken promises yet seeing the glory or hope at the end of the journey.

"Stay" could be the typical song about a person losing a relationship, yet it works at a deeper level, maybe because of the emotional skill of the main singer Paul Buchnan.

"Easter Parade" is about a man who gets trapped on a street due to an Easter parade passing by. As the joy of the crowd plays on, he remembers his childhood going to church & reflecting the death of Christ. One of the most moving songs on the CD when he cries, "I know you..."

"Heatwave" returns to the `POP' mainstream beat & style, but the words about the hardships of humanity keep the song above the normal top 40 mayhem.

"Automobile Noise" is more of an experiment with sound effects within a rock beat creating a great ending song.

There are hints of Thomas Dolby or maybe Pink Floyd through out this fantastic CD, yet holding on to their originality. Give it a spin...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changingly good, August 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Walk Across the Rooftops (Audio CD)

The Blue Nile - mysterious name for a band from Scotland, but don't let that throw you off the scent. This album is a masterpiece of subtlety, minimalism, and form. Sure, it takes time to appreciate. Sure, some of the sounds are a bit rough and ragged. But this is pure, unadulterated experimentation at its greatest and heartbreakingly melodic in places, angular and sharp in others. One of the greatest albums of the 1980s, and possibly modern times. *****5 STARS.