|
|
|
|
Ian Mcnabb
Robert Ian McNabb first rose to prominence with "The Icicle Works" when they scored two major hit singles "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" which was a top 40 US hit and "Love is a Wonderful Colour" top twenty UK hit. Their eponymously titled debut album was also a hit on both sides of the Atlantic achieving gold record status in Canada. "The Icicle Works" released four albums between 1983-1988 all achieving top forty placing until they broke up immediately after their swansong "Blind".
Ian went on to record one more album under the name "The Icicle Works" signing to Epic in 1989 and using session musicians. "Permanent Damage" was released in March 1990 but fared badly in the midst of the then exploding Madchester scene. Ian split with Epic that same year and over the next few months he began preparing songs for what would become his first solo album "Truth and Beauty". Self financed and released on Andrew Lauder’s new label "This Way Up" in March 1993, the album was rapturously received by both fans and critics alike, finding its way into Q magazine’s "best albums released during Q’s lifetime".
Ian and his new record label knew they had to up the ante for the next release. He had written a song called "Fire Inside My Soul" which musically resembled the sound of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Released in July, 1994, "Head Like A Rock" was an immediate success. The album returned Ian to the upper reaches of the top forty once again cementing his position of a great British singer-songwriter in the minds of both the public and the industry.
For his next album, Ian decided to put together a new band. Ian christened them "The Afterlife". The resulting album, 1996’s "Merseybeast" was once again a top forty success. The tour ended on a high note when Ian got to share the bill at 1996’s Phoenix festival with Young and Crazy Horse. In 1997 he decided to take a break, upon his return he accepted the job of playing bass in former Waterboy Mike Scott’s new touring outfit. He began writing new songs in Jan 1998. In May/June of that year Ian was offered a week long residency at Ronnie Scott’s club in Birmingham. He decided he would record an all-acoustic album. He released the sublime "A Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Emotional Party". It was released with little fanfare in Oct 1998. It was warmly received and fared well though not achieving a chart placing this time.
A late 1999 show at Liverpool’s Life Café resulted in a live acoustic recording released as "Live at Life". The album features a mix of McNabb classics as well as Icicle Works favourites. Originally only available in limited quantities, this disc was later released by Ian’s new label, Sanctuary. The full tilt rock band appeared once again on McNabb’s eponymous album released in April 1001 on Sanctuary.
Coming right up to date, July 2004 saw the release of "Potency – The Best of Ian McNabb. A long overdue career summary of his post Icicle Works years. It also featured a bonus disc of rarities, b sides and outtakes.
Ian’s most recent album "Before All Of This" was previewed by the top 40 single "Let The Young Girl Do What She Wants To". This was Ian’s first "hit" in 21 years proving there’s life in the old dog yet. The album was divided into two distinct acoustic and electric "sides" and featured the enchanting backing vocals of singer Livia Johnson as well as powerhouse drummer Steve Barney (Annie Lennox).
Ian has been a professional musician since the age of fifteen when he used to play at workingmen’s social clubs in the northwest of England, although he now reckons he’s only just getting started. Good start Ian...
|
|
|
|
