Nice Man "Sauchiehall & Hope (A Pop Opera)" (SHOECD013)

A concept album set in Glasgow town.
Nice Man is lonely, finds love, loses love, starts to look for it again.
Hollywood's finest are queuing up to buy the film rights.

Nice Man and Me - A Confession By Duglas T. Stewart (album liner notes)

There is a scene in the movie version of Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day where the always-in-control butler Stevens is caught reading a book, that he's obviously embarrassed to be discovered reading, by Housekeeper Sally Kenton. Like Sally we are made to wonder, “What is this book”? Perhaps it's a saucy piece of scandalous erotica. The answer results in one of the most moving and revealing moments of modern cinema I've seen. What's all this got to do with the debut solo album by my fellow BMX Bandit and multi talented contributor to recordings by a wide range of artists including Teenage Fanclub, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Pastels and Ben Vaughn? Read on and all will be revealed.

When Francis recorded his Nice Man album I was curious and very keen to hear the results but Francis put me off saying "I'll let you hear it some time later". But when it was released, initially in Japan, he still wasn't passing out complimentary copies or letting me hear it....STRANGE! I visited his office and when he wasn't around asked if his assistant, Heather, would play it for me. She had been told not to play it for people...VERY STRANGE! I soon discovered it wasn't just me; Norman Blake told me he wasn't getting to hear it either. We began to wonder if there
was a good reason for this. Perhaps a radical new direction like Marilyn Manson-style satanic industrial music or, even worse, were the lyrics declaring Norman and I were pricks or assholes?

Now my terrible confession: while in Japan I borrowed a copy and listened to it. I know it was wicked, it was a bit like reading someone's sacred secret diary (which I'd never do), but I couldn't resist. There were no defamatory lyrics or anything else scandalous...instead I was reminded of the movie scene mentioned above: Stevens' book wasn't anything risqué or scandalous, it was a sentimental old fashioned love story...and the Nice Man album is the sonic equivalent of Steven's book. It's a collection of uncomplicated, uncontrived, honest, moving love songs. The songs are unpretentiously formed and performed by Francis solo, revealing a foolish tender heart and his love affair with power pop, rock'n'roll and country music.

So Francis – sorry. I feel guilty for listening before I was invited to and not owning up earlier...and thanks for making a record that will surprise and possibly even scandalise some because it doesn't have a "clever angle" or hidden agenda but that is honest, melodic and sweet. A rare thing these days.

Duglas T. Stewart, September 2002

OK, but what's the word on the street...?

"Head of innovative Glasgow labels Shoeshine and Spit & Polish, Francis (Nice Man) Macdonald's CV includes Alex Chilton, The Pastels, Dan Penn and Jerry Lee Lewis, alongside stints with BMX Bandits and the Fanclub (for whom he still plays live). Sauchiehall & Hope is a love-bitten concept album of sorts, all delicious pop froth and sunny-side-up guitars. "Get That Girl" tips the wink to Big Star, "Mine All Mine" and "Loser" are the Fannies in full summer canter, while Kim Fowley guests on "Heart To Break". Elsewhere, the choppy "Girl, I'm In Love With You" and bubblegum rock n roller "Daydream Girls" ice the cake with panache"
(Uncut)

As if on a crusade to end all those cruel drummer jokes - Macdonald having sat behind the kit for the likes of Teenage Fanclub, BMX Bandits and Radio Sweethearts - Nice Man plays every instrument, pens every song and sings them too. For reference think of Jonathan Richman, shades of Beck and 1980s power pop, but for a clearer view just take these exhilaratingly refreshing tunes at face value.
(Scotland On Sunday)

"A "Pop Opera", no less. Scots indie songsmith Francis Macdonald delivers tales of finding a girl, falling in love and then losing her. Oh, if only life was so simple. Fans of Teenage Fanclub or BMX Bandits will lap this up. Go on, risk a run to the shops."
(Rocksound)

"The pure honesty, power pop, romanticness, and country influenced songs are so wonderful you just wouldn't believe it was possible..."
(more here)

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