Iconic NYC Rock-and-Roller Willie Nile Returns with Superb Album

Willie Nile's music and lyrics embody New York City. He plays street smart rock-and-roll with a live vibe, and brilliant musical and lyrical poetry. His songs are masterfully crafted, by turns joyous and celebratory, tender and reflective. He's a keen observer of the world around him, down to the block where he lives in Greenwich Village.

Nile also genuinely respects and loves his fans. They're there for each other, like the best of New Yorkers. Nile is humble and giving. Simply put: Nile is the best singer-songwriter and rock-and-roller in Manhattan, bar none. It's why he's rightfully referred to as an icon of icons. Willie Nile defines NYC R&R.

He's also been remarkably consistent throughout a 40-year recording career, never letting his fans down. You'd make a wise choice to see him Friday, Dec. 17, on this side of the river at the Stanhope House in Stanhope.

He's supporting this year's "The Day the Earth Stood Still," his latest superb album of unmistakable jangly guitar chords and rhythms, unique vocals, and unmatched lyrics, backed by his powerful band. The disc runs the gambit, from the pandemic-informed title track and the infectious "Blood On Your Hands featuring the extraordinary Steve Earle, to the absolutely stunning and inspiring "The Justice Bell (For John Lewis)."

There's also the rollicking "Where There's a Willie There's a Way" and "Off My Medication," and the Clash-like "Expect Change." Nile stands as a rock of hope and inspiration on "I Will Stand" and "Time to Be Great," and reflective on "I Don't Remember You."

It's all a Willie Nile fan could want. If you've never heard Nile, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a perfect introduction.

The pleasure was all ours when we recently had the opportunity to chat with the man himself.

It's great to see you back onstage. When did you resume gigging?

Last year we did one show, on Feb 29, at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. All three guys in my band and the opening act all got Covid but I did not. We had one show in August this year, outdoors at Monmouth Park, and one night in Washington, D.C. I'm looking forward to performing more regularly.

It must be great coming back for someone who loves the stage and his fans so much.

I was always writing throughout it. That's what picked me up. The fans stood up for me. I did a series of online shows. I wanted the quality to be high. I did it at first alone then I took the full band to the Bowery Electric. We spent money to put on great shows because we wanted to give the fans something special. I was beyond strained and the music helped get me through it and the fans helped me get through it financially. I've got to thank the fans. They've always been good to me.

But nothing tops the experience of playing live, especially the shows we've done this year. The smiles on people's faces. I have a very devoted following and they're seeing each other for the first time in two years. It's a sense of joy. We see the audience having a ball and it's never been more electrifying. It's a shared communal experience through the songs. I go out with a mask on after the shows to sign CDs. That's my job, to give them a joyful, exhilarating experience. I've talked with Bruce (Springsteen) a number of times about how there's salvation in music and it can be redemptive. Life is hard, come to the show for the ecstasy.

You're playing the Stanhope House on Friday, Dec. 17, a venue where you've delighted audiences numerous times. What’s the allure about playing there?

It's a great room. The history of it, the great blues artists that have played there. It's like it should be in a Smithsonian Institution.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is just a tremendous all-around effort. Now that's it been out a few months, what do you think.

I'm thrilled with how it came out. I had a great team around me. We recorded at Weehawken Hobo Sound. It's a gem of a studio. What's great about that studio is it's been there a while and the people there have everything down. What makes a great studio is the people that run it. The people that work there have it so nuanced. It's so well-oiled. The people there know the instruments and gear like a great chef knows his kitchen.

We cut the basic tracks in three days. We were enthusiastic and excited. Seven or eight of the songs are live vocals. There's an energy you can only get recording that way. The band (guitarist Jimi K. Bones, bassist Johnny Pisano and drummer Jon Weber) is absolutely on fire. I knew halfway through it that it had this electricity. If you have a band that's on fire live and you can capture that in the studio that's special.

The title track balances the plot of the classic sci-fi film, "The Day the Earth Stood Still," with images harkening to the first days of the shutdown.

If you would've told me two years ago that New York City would soon be a ghost town I would've said you’re nuts. But I went out one night at the start of it and it was like that movie. It was a Friday night. I live in Greenwich Village. I got out to the corner of Varick and Spring and there's not a car in sight, not one. I could've laid down in the street and sang Rolling Stones songs all night. It's just like the movie. I'm not a sci-fi freak but that's a great movie to this day.

There are a number of inspirational songs on the album, none more so than "The Justice Bell," dedicated to the late civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis.

Meeting him was one of the highlights of my life. I met him at the Cutting Room here in New York. I held his hand in both of mine and looked right into his eyes and I got to thank him for all these things he's done to make this a better country.

How did the duet with Steve Earle on "Blood On Your Hands" come about?

Steve is a neighbor of mine. I asked him to sing on the song. He brought this great street sense and honesty that all his music has. He has a benefit, the John Henry’s Friends Benefit, coming up at Town Hall on Dec. 13 that raises money for autism. Bruce, Rosanne Cash and I are going to play. It's for a great cause. Then you have The Light of Day shows that have raised over $6 million dollars for Parkinson’s disease research. We're working musicians, working for a living, but we also have the joy of giving meaningful music and joy to the listeners.

Then there are the pure fun songs like "Where There's a Willie There's a Way." It's raucous but can be taken as inspiration by your fans. If Willie can do it, so can I.

It's a pun off of that. It's tongue in cheek. I try to write things that are upbeat and uplifting, can-do songs. It's such a good rocker and so much fun to play.

"Time to Be Great" is an uplifting song for trying times.

I was watching TV and the news is bad as usual. What do we do during this nightmare of this pandemic? Mdy father is 104 and doing great. He would say you get up and get on with it. That's the idea. You try to be great and help each other. Let's be good neighbors.