Nick Willett

(no number)

A Hillbilly Cat on the loose, is how Nick Willett has been described. Recapturing the raw original jump-joint sounds of the 1950's, Nick Willett transforms us back to those unparalleled days of Rockabilly and R&B that oozed from the likes of Sonny Burgess, Carl Perkins, Cash, Orbison and of course Elvis.

Born 20th May 1977, just eighty-eight before Elvis passed on, Willett possesses a remarkable resemblance to the young Elvis Presley in many ways. Coming from a quiet suburb in Southern Chicago, Willett retains the same estimable attributes that Elvis grew up with, politeness, shyness, strong religious beliefs and the amazing ability to sing just about any kind of song. Nick Willett has the charismatic stage presence that will draw the crowd and a haunting expressive voice that has been said to send shivers down the spine of those who have already been fortunately to see him performing live.

As I write in April, Nick Willett has been booked to appear at the Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender (May) and Notts Americana International Festival (4-7th July), where he will appear with his own band.

13 tracks are found on this CD released on the Americana International Records label, offering a taste of rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country and gospel music. Amongst the treasures to found are 'Pretend' and 'Because Of You' recorded by Carl Mann, with 'It's A Sin To Tell A Lie'. 'Don't Ask Me Why' and 'Sea Of Love' all bring out the tones of Elvis in Willett's voice. A flirtation with, 'Hank Locklin's Top Ten country hit 'Send Me The Pillow You Dream On' from 1958, offers a fine mid-tempo beat.

Nick Willett is no Elvis Presley impersonator, but the similarities are much in evidence throughout the whole of this album. Bringing this tantalising gathering to a close we find the spiritual 'Without Him', recoded on Presley's 1967 How Great Thou Art album. The magic spell cast by Nick Willett, injects much freshness into familiar tones and great expectations of a knockout live performance