Jimmy Nail - Crocodile Shoes Vol.1 (CD 1994)

A new job in April this year meant a weekly drive of 500 miles or so to and from work. My CD collection was soon exhausted, despite listening to the Today programme on Radio 4 going to work and listening to CDs for the howemward drive. The songs became familiar, almost too familiar so I decided that I should update my CD collection.

Ebay was my first choice because I enjoy a extremely broad spectrum of music. Pausing over the 'search' box, I eventually searched for Jimmy Nail's CDs, as I had bought 'Crocodile Shoes' as a cassette several years ago and now needed the CD.

Having won the auction for a new CD of 'Crocodile Shoes', despite of being tempted by the greatest hits, I played it driving home. It was superb!

It was so comfortable listening to the songs that I had forgotten, but soon remembered as they evoked times when my wife and I avidly played the tape.

Every song is strong, with excellent vocals, sung nonchalantly albeit passionately.

'Cowboy Dreams', 'Only One Heart' and 'Angel' are very well produced and the mood is, quite simply, romantic.

My one regret was that my wife was at home, and not in the car with me listening to the CD. I also realised, and this might seem peculiar, that the best time to listen to the CD is with my wife, whilst driving at night in the rain in somewhere like the Lake District. It hits all the right spots.

Yet, whilst I thoroughly enjoy all of the songs, the one that really turned back the years for me was 'Love Will Find Someone For You'. Without adding to the title, and if my marriage lasts, I will celebrate 30 years next month; yet, strangely, I suppose I can indirectly relate to the words which are set to a beautiful melody.

One day my wife and I will listen to the CD in my preferred conditions, although, meanwhile, the CD genuinely soothes the stresses and strains of the day.

Jimmy Nail as an underrated singer and it seems to me that he was usually outside his comfort zone when doing so. However, to me, he was superb and a wonderful contradiction to the uncouth Geordie character that he played on TV.

They say that diamonds are hard to find, but I found one through eBay.

My wife is a fan. She enjoyed the television series and enjoyed this CD. It has a certain edge to it, like Jimmy Nail himself. Strong vocal performance.