The Essential [IMPORT]

Nik Kershaw

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 5, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Polygram UK
• ASIN: B00004U66Z
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,857 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Wouldn't It Be Good

2. I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

3. Dancing Girls

4. Riddle

5. Wide Boy

6. Nobody Knows

7. One Step Ahead

8. Human Racing

9. Don Quixote

10. Drum Talk

11. Shame on You

12. Bogart

13. When a Heart Beats

14. Wild Horses

15. Gone to Pieces

16. Radio Musicola

17. Cloak and Dagger

18. Save the Whale

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

18 Track Compilation of the 80's Rocker's Best Hits, Including "Wouldn't it Be Good", "The Riddle", "Don Quixote", "One Step Ahead", "Human Racing" and Many More, Taken from his Recordings for MCA/UNIVERSAL Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His very best songs as a singer songwriter and performer, January 4, 2004

By	eastbird "eastbird" (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nik Kershaw's Back with a new compilation., October 7, 2000

By	Pete Seaton (Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset. UK) - See all my reviews

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......

4.0 out of 5 stars Nik the lad from Ipswich., February 23, 2009

By	melkents "arpeggios" (Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews

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.