Nightbird is the debut solo studio album by the English singer-songwriter Paul Carrack. It came out in 1980, shortly after Carrack's tenure with Roxy Music, and featured musical contributions from several Roxy session musicians, as well as backing vocals (and a songwriting contribution) from Carrack's former Ace bandmate Alan "Bam" King. Nightbird was originally released on Vertigo Records in the UK and Europe, and was reissued in 2004 on PolyGram.
The album's pre-release single was "Beauty's Only Skin Deep". On that single, it was indicated the album was to be called Showing Off.
Shortly after this album was issued, Carrack joined the band Squeeze. He stayed a member of Squeeze for most of 1981 before resuming his solo career.
Track listing
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. Paul Carrack – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitars Winston Delandro – guitars Neil Hubbard – guitars Tim Renwick – guitars Alan Spenner – bass Kuma Harada – bass Richard Bailey – drums Andy Newmark – drums Jeff Seopardie – drums Neville Murray – percussion Mel Collins – saxophones Malcolm Griffiths – trombone Guy Barker – trumpet Martin Drover – trumpet Dyan Birch – backing vocals Alan "Bam" King – backing vocals Noel McCalla – backing vocals
Production
Producers – Paul Carrack and Phill Brown (all tracks); Alan Callan (tracks 1, 6 & 7). Engineer – Phill Brown Assistant Engineer – Barry Sage Recorded at RG Jones Studios (London, UK). Mixed at Basing Street Studios (London, UK). Front Cover Photos – Iain McKell (black and white) and Brendan Walsh (color). Back Cover Portrait – Mike Prior