Nigel Lived

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Nigel Lived is the first album by the British lead vocalist and actor Murray Head, released in 1973 on CBS Records.

It is a concept album which tells the story of Nigel, a young singer who arrives in London seeking to make a career in the music business. His early optimism gives way to disillusionment, struggle, and finally heroin addiction. The original vinyl release came in an elaborate package, with a lyric sheet featuring pages from Nigel's diary to depict the course of his gradual disintegration.

Track listing

Side One (labelled "Success"):

1. "Pacing On the Station" – 4:55
2. "Big City" – 3:29
3. "Bed & Breakfast" – 2:28
4. "The Party" – 3:13
5. "Ruthie" – 3:19
6. "City Scurry" – 1:58
7. "When You Wake Up in the Morning" – 3:10

Side Two ("Failure"):

1. "Why Do We Have to Hurt Our Heads" – 3:13
2. "Pity the Poor Consumer" – 2:29
3. "Dole" – 3:05
4. "Nigel, Nigel" – 2:11
5. "Miss Illusion" – 2:18
6. "Religion" – 4:46
7. "Junk" – 8:49

Background

This album followed Head's appearance as Judas, a leading role on the recording of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, and his subsequent 1971 single "Superstar".

His supporting musicians include the Giles brothers of Giles, Giles and Fripp, a group which evolved into King Crimson.

Personnel

• Murray Head – guitar, vocals
• Mark Warner – guitar
• Peter Manning Robinson – organ, piano, Clavinet
• Tony Coe – clarinet, saxophone
• Henry Lowther – trumpet, horn
• Sue Glover – vocals
• Sunny Leslie – vocals
• Miguel Barrados – drums, steel guitar
• Clive Chaman – bass guitar, horn
• David Chapman – trombone
• Phil Chen – bass guitar
• Jim Chester – clarinet, oboe, baritone saxophone
• Tommy Coe – clarinet, saxophone
• Ray Cooper – percussion
• Nick DeCaro – accordion, horn and string arrangements
• Barry DeSouza – conga, drums
• John Donnelly – trumpet, flugelhorn, horn
• Friendly Sisters – background vocals
• Martin Fry – tuba, horn
• Kay Garner – background vocals
• Sue Garner – background vocals
• Michael Giles – drums, percussion
• Peter Giles – bass guitar
• James Harpham – bass recorder
• Jimmy Hastings – clarinet, saxophone
• Spike Heatley – double bass
• Ralph Ho – horn
• Skaila Kanga – harmonica, electric harp
• Chris Karan – tabla
• Glen LeFleur – drum
• Chris Mercer – baritone, tenor and toy saxophone
• Christopher Neil – harmonica
• Cozy Powell – drums
• Graham Preskett – mandolin, electric violin
• Michael Rennie – strings, violin
• Frank Ricotti – percussion, conga, marimba
• Peter Robinson – keyboards
• Jack Rothstein – violin
• Fiachra Trench – piano, pipe organ, conductor
• Tommy Whittle – clarinet, saxophone
• Dave Wintour – bass guitar

References

• Nigel Lived at Allmusic.