Paolo Nutini dances his way into our hearts with his ‘New Shoes’
Will the Scotsman’s U.K. fame translate across the pond?
By JACQUELINE MCCLURE
He sings with the channeled 1970s soul of Al Green, looks like the fifth member of the Beatles with his mop top, and models on the side for Prada. Paolo Nutini might be only 19, but his soulful voice has both range and a huskiness that can’t be ignored.
While his debut album, “These Streets,” dropped last Tuesday in the U.S., it has already gone platinum in the U.K. The first single, “New Shoes,” is the definition of toe tapping; or in my case, dancing around an apartment with the blinds down like no one is watching (hopefully). The chorus symbolizes his overnight transformation from starving artist to rock star status: “Hey, I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything’s right/ I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody’s smiling, it’s so inviting.”
Certainly his voice is an asset, but the passionate songwriting in “Last Request” and “These Streets” convey a depth of emotions that many of his U.K peers he’s been compared to, such as James Blunt, lack. Nutini’s choppy tempo rock ballad “Jenny Don’t Be Hasty” sings about the taboo of dating an older woman, who can’t get over the age factor. Clearly not a problem in America a la Demi and Ashton.
Don’t judge the name on the cover. The 4th generation Scotsman worked in the family fish-and-chip shop before dropping out of school at 16. Moving from Paisley to London, he earned enough hype in local clubs to be signed to the British division of Atlantic Records just after turning 18. Working alongside Coldplay’s producer Ken Nelson, Nutini’s reputation spread before his first single “Last Request” was released. Nutini even drew the attention of the Rolling Stones, who requested he perform a set of concert openings.
Still skeptical? You can get a free download of “Last Request” on www.ralphrocks.com, the Web site of Ralph Lauren’s latest perfume, since Nutini is the fragrance’s spokesman. The Web site will feature a section of his latest hits and a page dedicated to Nutini’s personal style.
Don’t walk; run to grab this heartfelt album. Especially for a romantic February 14.
Top songs to download:
1) New Shoes
2) Jenny Don’t Be Hasty
3) Last Request
