The Carleton is proud (and a little freaked out) to present NYC’s Willie Nile Band, along with another NYC legend, James Maddock on Saturday, August 19th. Make no mistake, this is a full-on rock show so we’ll have seating in the dining room and the bar area will be a free for all. With that in mind, we suggest you make dinner plans if you want to be up front. And, get this, advanced tickets are only $25. If you’re in Halifax and don’t go to this show… well, words fail us…
The New York Times called Willie Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” His album Streets Of New York was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by UNCUT magazine. Rolling Stone listed The Innocent Ones as one of the “Ten Best Under-The-Radar Albums of 2011” and BBC Radio called it “THE rock ‘n’ roll album of the year.”
Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises. His album, American Ride, won Rock Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards. It appeared on over one hundred year-end Top Ten lists for 2013 and Bono called it, “One of the great guides to unraveling the mystery that is the troubled beauty of America.”
In November 2014 he released an album of piano-based songs, If I Was A River, to universal critical acclaim. “One of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of the past thirty years” said The New Yorker.” No Depression raved “Willie Nile’s artistic renaissance continues unabated.”
His 2016 album World War Willie appeared on numerous year end top ten lists as did hid his live shows. As American Songwriter said “Nile cranks up the volume and tears into these tunes with the same hunger, passion and exuberance he displays in his legendary sweat-soaked shows.” World War Willie was voted Album Of The Year by Twangville Magazine and the song Forever Wild was named Coolest Song In The World by Little Steven’s Underground Garage.
Better than most performers have to offer by far.Rolling Stone
Clash/Social Distortion meets Pete Seeger…a true master songwriter!Hits
Willie’s so good I can’t believe he’s not from New Jersey!Little Steven
Crossing the power of the Clash with the social consciousness of Woody Guthrie…he’s stronger than ever!The Morton Report
Willie Nile is a great artist. If there was any justice in this world, I’d be opening up for him instead of him for me.Lucinda Williams
The epitome of real, true American rock ’n’ roll!Pop Matters
A man who embodies the true spirit of rock n’ roll. London Times
RIVETING!…Springsteen, Mellencamp, Van Morrison…Willie Nile has earned his standing in that esteemed company!Blurt
The best singer-songwriters serve the song. The songwriter’s songwriter, James Maddock, who has earned the respect of masterful writers such as Bruce Springsteen and Willie Nile, has built his acclaimed legacy on humbly honoring purity of expression. Many albums in his beloved catalog are elegantly spare, conveying his songs and sentiments in the most direct possible way. But for his latest album, The Green, the songs guided him into recording the most eclectic, exhilaratingly soulful, and imaginatively produced album in his career.