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The Blue Nile is a trio formed in the early 1980s in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Members: Paul Buchanan (vocals, guitar), Robert Bell (bass), Paul Joseph Moore (keyboards). The 3 members formed the band, initially named McIntyre, and actually played for some time without a drummer using drum machines and keyboard effects. Nigel Thomas (drums) has played on all of the band's albums but he doesn't figure on the official band member list and all photos of the band only feature the three forming members. Musically, they play art pop synth pop, and they're known for an original lo-fi style, using few instruments, and also for creating a unique dreamy shape of sound always centered on Buchanan's. lamenting and gentle singing voice. The Blue Nile has only released 4 studio albums over a time span of 20 years. For each album they released, the pause until next album's release, was increased. The first two albums, released on Linn Records were met by very positive reviews by the music press but failed in sales. For the third album,
Peace at Last (1996), the band had signed with Warner Bros., but even a major international record label couldn't secure better sales, and is the band's least renowned album. The fourth and most recent album is
High (2004) released on Sanctuary Records, which again secured fine reviews but small sales. After the the band's acclaimed second album, they played as studio musicians and guest stars on several other artists' albums, and the trio has remained unchanged in all years. The band's usual drummer, Nigel Thomas, released
Public Face, Private Face (2002) as the project band Quiet City featuring vocalist and songwriter Paul Buchanan on three of the tracks, and in 2012 Buchanan released his solo debut album
Mid Air. I bought the debut album back in '84, and have been a major fan ever since, always regretting they didn't release more often.
[ official site:
thebluenile.org ]
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