Rahul Sharma (Editor)

The Riddle (album)

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Recorded
  
1984

The Riddle (1984)
  
Radio Musicola (1986)

Release date
  
19 November 1984

Label
  
MCA Records

Length
  
42:32

Artist
  
Nik Kershaw

Producer
  
Peter Collins

The Riddle (album) httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediaenthumbc

Released
  
19 November 1984 (1984-11-19)

Genres
  
Rock music, Electropop, New wave

Similar
  
Radio Musicola, To Be Frank, You've Got to Laugh, No Frills, The Works

Nik kershaw the riddle 1984 full album


The Riddle is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw. It was originally released in November 1984, on the label MCA.

Contents

On release, the album was received favourably by the majority of music critics. It went on to peak at #8 on the UK Albums Chart and reached #39 on the Australian ARIA Charts. The album launched three charting singles in the UK. "The Riddle" peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart; "Wide Boy" at #9; "Don Quixote" at #10. The album was certified platinum by the BPI.

The album was re-released on 9 August 2013 on Universal's new Re-presents imprint featuring rare bonus content. The reissue is a 2-CD set with the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes; the bonus content consists of associated B-sides, 12" mixes, and live versions of the songs featured on the album.

Nick kershaw the riddle full album vinyl 1984


Cover artwork

The album's cover photograph was shot on Chesil Beach in Dorset. On the back sleeve of the album, the Isle of Portland is seen in the background. Additionally, the single release of the title song "The Riddle" used the same image of Kershaw on the beach, whilst the back sleeve featured a photograph of Kershaw reading a map, standing at Portland Bill. The Trinity House Obelisk is highlighted in the photograph.

Critical reception

Smash Hits gave the album a mostly positive review calling it "a commendable offering from the thinking man's Limahl". Reviewing retrospectively for AllMusic, critic Scott Bultman wrote of the album "Kershaw's second album finally garnered some deserved attention. The rest is his unique style of well-crafted synth-pop."

Track listing

All tracks written by Nik Kershaw.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.

  • Nik Kershaw – lead and background vocals; vocal percussion; guitar; bass guitar; keyboards
  • Paul "Wix" Wickens – Fairlight CMI programming; Oberheim DMX programming
  • Tim Moore – keyboards (and acoustic piano on "So Quiet" (2013 re-release only))
  • Andy Richards – keyboards
  • Charlie Morgan – drums
  • Dennis Smith – bass guitar
  • Stuart Curtis – horns
  • Dave Land – horns
  • Pandit Dinesh – percussion
  • Sheri Kershaw – backing vocals (and lead vocal on "Don't Lie" (2013 re-release only))
  • Don Snow – backing vocals
  • Mark King – special guest bass guitar on "Easy"
  • Production team
  • Peter Collins – producer
  • Julian Mendelsohn – engineer
  • Dave Meegan – assistant engineer
  • Greg Fulginiti – mastering
  • Live personnel (2013 re-release)
  • Nik Kershaw – vocals; guitar; keyboards
  • Keith Airey – guitar; keyboards; backing vocals
  • Tim Moore – keyboards; backing vocals
  • Mark Price – drums
  • Dennis Smith – bass guitar
  • Gary Wallis – percussion
  • Songs

    1The Riddle4:44
    2Know How4:58
    3You Might3:16

    References

    The Riddle (album) Wikipedia