Nightwing were, in my opinion, one of the bands back in the NWOBHM days of the early 1980s which brought some scope and variety in to the mix.
Not least due to the very effective keys and synths giving plenty of substance without overpowering and the very impressive, scorching guitar work.
Whilst busily releasing albums over the first half of the decade, an appearance of the 1981 Reading Festival and support slots with the likes of Gillan, Nightwing seemed to go down much better over on the continent than on home turf.
Good old Cherry Red Records have released another of their fine box sets for which this one comprises of Nightwing’s first four studio albums and their live album. It’s all (mostly…..) cracking stuff bar a few mishaps. Though the good far surpasses those mishaps.
We have Something in the Air from 1980, Black Summer from 1982, Stand Up and Be Counted from 1983, My Kingdom Come from 1984 and the live album from 1985. All in one of those familiar sturdy clamshell together with a nice booklet with extensive notes and interviews etc.
Something in the Air I think is something of a “finding your feet” album. Bookended by the short instrumentals it starts strong with Nightwing being fast and heavy with the guitar and those keys which sounds much like Gillan.
Cold Love and Edge of a Knife have some edge to them – especially Edge of a Knife with the flute – yes, flute. The title track broods along with a touch more of the flute and the cover of Barrel of Pain has a sort of funky undertone. So far so good.
Then it falls apart with the shockingly generic blues of Boogie Woman and the insipid cover of You Keep Me Hanging On. Nevertheless, a promising debut.
The follow-up of Black Summer is so much better and real step up. Solid throughout. Nightwing find the feet they were looking for with the first album.
Overnight Sensation is a thumpingly big, urgent opener and the rest of the album matches it. Bird Has Flown and Carry on lead in to the majestic title track. Searching has the book hooks and melody, the title track has a dark edge and a relentless feel then Don’t Want to Lose You closes it out with another fine rocker.
Here’s Overnight Sensation:
For Stand Up and Be Counted, in came Max Bacon on vocals. A definite trade-up here. However the direction on this album veers more towards the melodic/AOR side as Max’s voice sounds more suited to that. And it was 1983.
That said, it’s a solid start with Let Me Be Your Lover and Trading Water powering along well with Max showing his vocal power and range. The Machine is interesting with the proggy veering and Dressed to Kill not messing about.
Then, alas, things go south quickly. The title tack is poor. Next Saturday is cringe worthy. Surely a joke gone wrong. And Games to Play is another shocker. Call Your Name helps to redeem the situation as does The Last Song as it rises and falls in pace sometimes feeling melancholy. Interesting
Nightwing recover mostly with My Kingdom Come with much more urgency to it and harking back somewhat to Black Summer.
Back on the Streets, Fingers in the Fire and The Devil Walks Behind You being a trio of solid rockers with all the necessary ingredients as is The Devil Walks Behind You. Here is is:
Though they lose the plot again with the insipid lounge music of the title track and the misguided cover of Steve Hackett’s Cell 151. Hackett being involved with the title track and Nightwing apparently returning the favour by doing the cover.
Men of War is a nicely paced song with purpose and a strident, marching feel. The title track closes out the album and makes me think of Saracen every time.
There would be line-up changes after My Kingdom Come with Max Bacon ending up with Hackett and Steve Howe for the GTR album.
The live album from 1985 with the new line-up is taken from performances in countries which no longer exist. It’s a perfunctory affair.
Nightwing did have something different to offer than many of their NWOBHM-era counterparts and there is plenty to enjoy in this box set despite those few lapses along the way.
If you may not be familiar with Nightwing – think say Gillan, Uriah Heep, Rainbow, White Spirit, Saracen and a heavier Magnum. If that’s you bag, I think you’ll be content.
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