North of a Miracle

by Nick Heyward

Overview

One track already makes Nick Heyward's first solo LP after leaving Haircut 100 a must-hear. The breezy "Whistle Down the Wind" is among Heyward's most moving songs, a story of unrequited love with a "hello, hello, hope you're feeling fine" chorus that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Heyward sings the opening lines in a whispery tone, caressing the ears with the sweetness of his voice; when the tempo builds up, the track manages to simultaneously elevate and sadden the listener. "Whistle Down the Wind" is lush, hopelessly romantic pop that may have been too subtle for Top 40 radio in 1983. Although North of a Miracle doesn't strike those highs again, it's still just as charming and catchy as Heyward's finest Haircut 100 work. "When It Started to Begin" sounds a lot like Haircut 100, especially the chirpy horns, but much of North of a Miracle is more mature and introspective. "Blue Hat for a Blue Day" speaks of divorce with a deceptively cheerful beat, while the atmospheric "The Day It Rained Forever" is a wintry ballad with a palpable depth of emotion. Like the Colourfield's Virgins & Philistines, North of a Miracle doesn't seem like a '80s record; its apparent influences -- the Beatles, the Walker Brothers, jazz, R&B -- are as timeless as the album. Anybody expecting a boyish romp like Haircut 100's "Love Plus One" might be a tad startled. ~ Michael Sutton

Product Details

Release Date:	01/31/2025
Label:	Demon/Edsel
UPC:	5014797911826

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Nick Heyward   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Tim Renwick   Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Mandolin,Guitar (Acoustic)
Brian Gascoigne   Piano
Pino Palladino   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Dave Mattacks   Drums
Pete Beachill   Trombone
Andrew Powell   Conductor
Bill Le Sage   Piano
Morris Pert   Marimba,Percussion
Andrew Brown   Guitar (Bass)
Brian Bascoigne   Piano
Danny Schogger   Organ,Piano,Accordion
Chris White   Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Andi Brown   Bass
Ian Laws   Guitar
Andy Brown   Bass,Bass
Janet Laws   Guitar
Tony Maronie   Bongos,Percussion
Stuart Brooks   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Steve Nieve   Organ,Piano

Technical Credits

Geoff Emerick   Engineer,Producer
Nick Heyward   Composer,Producer,Performer,Brass Arrangement
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Henry Cosby   Composer
Andrew Powell   Adaptation,Orchestral Arrangements
Steve Churchyard   Mixing
Bill Le Sage   Performer
Jon Jacobs   Assistant Engineer
Abbey Road   Mixing
Henry Crosby   Composer
David Botterell   Management
Paul Buckmaster   String Arrangements
Sylvia Moy   Composer