The Blue Nile from Glasgow, Scotland.
The music of The Blue Nile is built heavily on synthesizers and electronic instrumentation and percussion, although later works have featured acoustic guitar more prominently.
The band was formed when friends Buchanan and Paul Joseph Moore met Robert Bell shortly after graduating from the University of Glasgow in the late 1970s. Although their individual degrees didn't reflect their future career trajectory (English Literature, Electronics and Mathematics, respectively), their mutual friendship grew out of their shared interest in music, and they began writing and recording together. They formed their own label, Peppermint Records, on which they released their first single, "I Love This Life," which was later picked up and issued by RSO Records. Soon afterward, RSO was absorbed into Polygram, and The Blue Nile's first single disappeared from view, as did the band.
Still, the trio kept writing and recording over the next couple of years, including a couple of tracks that would later surface on their debut album. When local Hi-Fi manufacturer Linn Electronics heard their music, the company offered the band money to record a track that would showcase the sonic range of the company's high-end audio equipment. Linn was so pleased with the result, they formed their own record label in order to release The Blue Nile's debut, A Walk Across the Rooftops, in 1984. Although it received positive reviews, it sold modestly.
After a prolonged delay in which an entire album's worth of work was scrapped, The Blue Nile released Hats in 1989 to rave reviews, including a rare five-star rating from Q magazine. The album was recorded in the same studio as much of their previous work, Castlesound in Pencaitland, East Lothian. This album, which explores the highs and lows of romantic love, is considered by most critics and listeners to be the band's most enduring work. At the time, Hats reached ..12 on the UK album charts and even slipped into the Billboard 200 in the United States. Rickie Lee Jones, a huge fan of the band, personally selected The Blue Nile as her opening act for her 1990 tour. She would later record a duet with them, a cover of the band's own "Easter Parade," which was featured as a B-side to the single "Headlights on the Parade."
In 1993, the band worked on Annie Lennox's debut album, Diva; she in turn covered "The Downtown Lights," from Hats, for her album Medusa, released in 1995.
A year later, The Blue Nile finally released their long-anticipated follow-up to Hats, entitled Peace at Last. In a radical departure from the band's prior two albums, the record is primarily driven by Buchanan's acoustic guitar. Even a gospel choir makes a brief appearance on the leadoff single, "Happiness." Despite the release of Peace at Last on a major label, the album sold poorly, and the critical reaction to the album was more mixed. However, "Family Life" was singled out for praise by most critics and listeners, many of whom consider it an instant classic.
After the longest gestation period between albums--eight years--The Blue Nile released High in 2004. Although acoustic guitar is still present on some tracks, the overall musical sound is more reminiscent of Hats, and as a result, the record has once again received almost universal critical praise
Paul Buchanan and Robert Bell toured England and Scotland in May and June 2006, billed as "Paul Buchanan sings the songs of The Blue Nile". The band consisted of Paul Buchanan, vocals and guitar; Robert Bell, bass guitar and keyboards; Alan Cuthbertson, keyboards ; Stuart McCredie, guitar; Liam Bradley, drums, Brendan Smith, piano. The future of The Blue Nile under that name is unclear in the light of this tour.
Despite not announcing any tour details officially, The Blue Nile played at the Electric Picnic festival in Stradbally Hall Stradbally, County Laois, Ireland on Sunday, 3rd September 2006.
Paul Buchanan is currently colaborating with Shirley Manson (lead singer of garbage) on her upcoming highly anticipated solo album.
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Thank you for adding The Pin-Ups! We love you guys!Hope you like the tunes! Album will be released internationally soon! Come visit our page! God bless you!
Hi Guys, thanx for being our Spacefriend. I saw you live on the last but one tour & thought you where amazing.I was unable to make the last Glasgow dates. I Love your music.
Thanks for the add on.Teenage son and I loved gig in Glasgow and expect that I will take a great grandchild to the next in another 20 yrs- I realise that quality takes time!! One day I'll summon up the courage to say in person "thanks for the music" as Paul makes his way about the W End. Is "Strangers in the Night" ever being recorded? Call me an old romantic.
My name is Dermot Barrett. i have long been a listener of the beautiful blissful Blue Nile. When i listen, when i hear, a universe opens up IN me as large as the one outside of me. I live in both, and both are equal.All Pains and Joys. Life. Thank You is too simple, but Thank you. Much Much LOVE always.
What can we say - you've been one of our most important musical influences in the past 20 years. OK, so it's a bummer that major labels don't seem to get you, but in this bright new age, who needs a record label?!?
Saw you in Boston MANY (20?!?) years ago. Someone yelled out "We Love You!!!" to which Paul replied, "How can you love me, I don't even like myself..." (with an outrageous Scottish accent). Hope you've learned to like yourself in the meantime!
wow, wish i could be in glasgow to see you..or anywhere you are going to be for that matter. any plans to come to the US? that sure would be wonderful if you did.
YOU HAVE MOST MOVING MUSIC, 'LET'S GO OUT TONIGHT' REFLECTS THE ATMOSPHERE OF ONE OF MY DREAMS (EVEN BEFORE I HAD HEARD THE SONG). IT WAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE DREAM, IT WAS SO MOVING AND AS SOON AS I HEARD YOUR SONG IT GAVE ME TEARS AS IT WAS SO TRUE TO THE PENSIVE, YET HAPPY DREAM I WAS EXPERIENCING. THANK YOU!!
As an unemployed ex student in Pompey in 1983, girlfriend leaving and prospects zero life was pretty crap. "Tinseltown" gave me some hope of a brighter life back then. All worked out in the end, "musn't grumble"!!!
Saw you fellas many years ago at Birmingham Town hall. What a fantastic night, lives with me to this day. Thanks for the memories and when you coming back again. I think I've waited long enough now. Must be 19/ 20 years ago.......... Sheesh!
RE: OPENING NIGHT GIG IN THE GRCH (WEDS 9TH JULY) - FANTASTIC...FANTASTIC...FANTASTIC. IN A LIVE PERFORMANCE THESE GUYS WERE EVERYTHING I'D HOPED FOR. JUST LIKE LISTENING TO PERFECTION. PAUL STILL HAS AN AMAZING VOICE. ALL MY FAVOURITE SONGS WERE INCLUDED IN THE SET. I DID THINK HOWEVER THAT THE AUDIENCE WERE A LITTLE RESERVED DURING THE SHOW ALTHOUGH A STANDING OVATION WAS GIVEN AT THE END. I, FOR ONE, SANG MY SOCKS OFF. THANKS SO MUCH FOR A BRILLIANT EVENING MY BLUE NILE BOYS. XX
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