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The single is a masterpiece of complexity in its arrangement and scintillating vocals. It hits the ground running with an addictive beat that thumps through you. The spoken-word vocals are like a rockier Dylan. Great lyrics and excellent groove.
THE OTHER SIDE REVIEWS
A fierce tune bearing sharp lyrics and a jolting industrial vibe. Elevated by Nigel’s commanding presence and authoritative delivery, the creatively weaved instrumental layers produce a quick and pervasive track that leaves a lasting impression.
ROCKALT
Production is great. I like the way Nigel uses modern elements in a very classic blues rock composition.
MUSIC NON STOP MAGAZINE / AGENCIA 55
Pure rock n roll. ‘Sexy, catchy, shocking, rocking. This is Nigel Barker Music
FREE INDIE CULTURE
Rapidly making a name for himself as one of the most exciting blues/rock artists in the UK today, Nigel Barker announces the release of his new single ‘DON’T THINK TWICE WHEN ONCE WILL DO’
The track is available now on all major digital platforms. ‘Twice’ is the fourth single to be released from his latest album FIVE.
Barker has been frequently described as a hidden gem of the UK blues scene. With five albums under his belt, how could that be? Nigel says “For a long time I didn’t have the money to promote my releases, in some cases, there weren’t even press releases sent out, but my fortunes took a turn for the better and I’ve been able to give this release the oxygen it deserves. Results have surpassed expectations. A lot of great reviews and a lot of good radio play and playlist inclusions”.
About this track? “Well, I’d describe this track as experimental Indie Blues Rock. I exchanged a conventional drum kit for clanging pieces of metal and wove together a slightly crazy combination of surf rock and dubstep. If you can find a way to combine those two elements together you gotta be on to something!
The album has got plays on Cerys Matthews The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 and got to number 18 in the IBBA chart Blues Radio chart. The first single video ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ got 10 000 views on Facebook”.
REVIEWS
Nigel Barker’s musical output is simply amazing. I’m listening to a symphony. Each new song, a new surprise, a new mood and it’s infectious. Barker is a true music connoisseur who does not hesitate to use anything and everything he has at his disposal to great stylistic effect. Such a fusion is seldom heard and in this clash of styles, we come to musical moments that are inspired. Incredible results! It’s truly great, inspiring and absolutely original music. Check it out!
Mladen Loncar – SOUNDGUARDIAN.COM
Gritty harmonica, fuzz guitars, a touch of the Velvet Underground. The album has beautiful production that bears a comparison with Lou Reed. It’s radio- friendly but experiments with all kinds of sounds. From ripping, distorted unexpected guitar solos to a large orchestra and the accelerator is pressed firmly to the floor at all times. You can’t really categorise the album, the diversity of the songs is too great.
Walter Vanheuckelom – CONCERTMONKEY.BE
Exciting intensity and presence throughout. Have you ever sat at a table with Lou Reed, Seasick Steve, Elliott Murphy, Calvin Russell, Johnny Dowd, John Trudell and Lee Clayton? Then rejoice because it’s all here on this album. It’s well produced, hard- hitting and down-to-earth …and the life experience hits you as sharply as does his guitars. This record is something you really do not want to miss! This is more than 220 volts, so be careful not to burn your fingers.
Johnny Andreassen – BLUES NEWS NORWAY
Bluesy vocals with a nicely understated guitar. The writing and production are stunning. Just goes to show how rich we are in this country when it comes to talent. Outstanding. 10/10INDEPENDENT MUSIC SHOWCASE
A different approach to the blues whilst still retaining a blues core that once you hear it has you hooked and that continues throughout the entire album, weaving and twisting in and out of blues and blues rock and some psychedelia..It’s unusual, uplifting…joyous. Gets the blood pumping BLUES MATTERS
Nigel Barker – A combination of true grit and grace… that makes the world a better place. BLUES.GR
A great album indeed. ROCKANDBLUES.NL
MY UNUSUAL BACKSTORY: “Due to a car accident at the age of 23, whilst working at AIR Montserrat Recording Studios in the West Indies, I injured my left hand and couldn’t play the guitar for nearly thirty years. Twenty years riding a Harley Davidson with a heavy clutch lever brought my hand back to life eight years ago. So in many ways, I am restoring the career that was taken away from me…thirty years late.
Should I feel bitter about that?… Well no. I’ve adjusted to the fact, but it took time. I had some success writing screenplays and directing movies for a living but to be honest, what I do now musically wouldn’t have been technically possible before 2004. That was the time when affordable recording software and vast libraries of virtual instruments became available on a laptop, so as a trained audio engineer it’s not difficult for me to produce high-quality recordings from a modest studio in West London. And that’s what I do. I’m five albums into a twelve album project.
The future? I’m looking forward to album six. Gonna do a few covers I think, and I’m making a list. It’s a pretty eccentric list so it’s taking some time to collect enough tracks to start, but as soon as that list is long enough I’ll get started. Tracks by Dorothy, Black Casino and The Ghost, Eric Johanson, and Damon Fowler are high on the list. Watch this space”!
Previous releases:
• The Fourth Album – Love, Death and Everything Inbetween -2018- Nigel Barker Solo album
• Experiments in Popular Music, Whimsy and The Blues- 2016- Cowboy Hat and That Fuzzbox Voodoo
• American Cities- 2015- Cowboy Hat and That Fuzzbox Voodoo
• A History of the American West and Other Stories – 2014- Cowboy Hat and That Fuzzbox Voodoo
Connect with Nigel here.
