Paolo Nutini in Copenhagen
Well, last night was the night 20 year old Paolo Nutini came to town. Paolo Nutini, the name rolls off of the tongue like chocolate and that is exactly how the experience of watching him perform live felt.... "like chocolate".
The audience at last nights concert was a mix of young and old, female and male, Danes and tourists. Paolo's sound can best be described as soul and it is original and captivating. He is often compared to James Blunt, although the comparison ends mostly at being able to pull at women’s heartstrings with a song. Paolo Nutini sings with such raw emotional depth in his raspy vocals. Last night while singing "Autumn" a song which is dedicated to his deceased grandfather Nutini seemed visibly moved. I'd say, the upbeat "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" was the biggest hit of the night but there wasn't a lemon in the bunch. Paolo and his band actually sound better live than they do on their current CD "These Streets". They sound really in sync, "tight" as they say in the music world.
In person, Paolo's model good looks remind me of a combination of Frodo from Lord of the Rings and a young Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith fame. A lethal combination of doe eyed innocence and rock star sex appeal. I sung Paolo's praises Nutini awhile back in an earlier blog but here's a summary of some of his life experiences that might help explain his mass appeal.
1. His family runs a fish-and-chip shop founded by his Italian-immigrant great-grandfather.
2. He started out in show business as a roadie for a friend's band at 16. Two years later he was signed to Atlantic Records. At 18 he opened for the Stones.
3. Many of the songs on his album were inspired by his off and now on again childhood sweetheart, who he has reconciled with.
Enjoy him stateside, because he's wrapped up his Scandinavia tour and heading to a town near you.
