Nick Curran

Player (Sleazy Records)

Doctor Velvet (Sleazy Records)

In Nick's yowling exhortations rang exuberant swagger that could rip heavy-duty nails from lumber. His ravers had spiritual roots in the shouted works of bygone masters like Little Richard, but were put over with innovative scintillation. There were belly-rubs, too; many-a wee-hours interaction doubtless derived inspiration from the achingly soulful tones of which Nick was capable. 

As regards his solos, suffice it to note that he put his shoe through each. Whether notes screamed in bursts, or orated poignantly, all seized oxygen. (And witness guest Jimmy Vaughn's own pyrotechnics on "Midnite Hour.")

Nick's toils were a far piece from foreigner mimicry. He was as honest-to-Salvation a man of the music as could be anyone who was not jukin' in the 1950s/1960s, or who lacked an H.G. Wells contrivance.

Recommended (Player): "Player," "What About Love," "Evenin'," "She's Evil," "The Groovy Jam," "The Stalker," "Down Boy Down," "Come Back," "Heeby Jeebies"

Recommended (Doctor Velvet): "Doctor Velvet," "Shot Down," "Don't Be Angry," "Please Don't Leave Me," "Midnite Hour," "One More Time," "Can't Stop Lovin' You," "Cold Cold Heart," "Stompin' At the Fort"

Videos: "Player"  (live)  "What About Love"   "Come Back"   "Doctor Velvet"   "Please Don't Leave Me"   "Midnite Hour"

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