With his latest release Streets Of New York, Willie Nile has put together a masterpiece few artists ever achieve and deserves the right to be mentioned with the greatest singer songwriters of rock. Nile wrote or co wrote with longtime collaborator Frankie Lee thirteen of the fourteen tracks. The lone exception is a standout take on the Eddy Grant penned “Police On My Back”. The Clash also recorded it on their Sandinista! Album. His backing band includes the immensely talented Andy York on guitar, Brad Albetta on bass and Rich Pagano on drums. Guest artists include Wallflowers Jacob Dylan and Rami Jaffee, ex Bob Dylan road warrior Larry Campbell and producer and ex Lone Justice member Bruce Brody. The featured track here is “Cell Phones Ringing In The Pockets Of The Dead” written after the Madrid train bombing from a vivid image of body bags of victims lined up with their cell phones ringing. An eerie ominous image to say the least that speaks volumes about some of the world’s current situations. This explosive statement has been receiving much deserved radio play. It is without a doubt Nile songwriting piece de resistance. The Bob Marley reggae vibe of “When One Stands” continues on Marley’s universal theme of peace, love and togetherness with its chorus of “when one stands, we all stand”. The gospel tinged “Game Of Fools”, the Celtic kick of “The Day I Saw Bo Diddley In Washington Square” and the beautifully tender “Lonesome Dark-Eyed Beauty” are standouts as well. “Best Friends Money Can Buy” finds Nile delivering a delicious put down and “Faded Flower Of Broadway” feature some fine fret work from York. Two stellar tracks “Back Home” and the title cut “Streets Of New York seem to bring out the convoluted singer songwriter paradox in Nile. “Streets of New York” is an ode to his longtime adopted home of New York City while “Back Home” is an autobiographical song that has him longing for the simpler times and questioning life choices he has made since leaving Buffalo. For more on Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member Willie Nile and his masterpiece Streets of New York check out www.willienile.com