Paolo Nutini was supposed to be the fourth generation of Nutinis to run the family fish & chip shop in Paisley, Scotland. Since 1914, that's what the Nutinis did. But young Paolo dreamed of becoming a goalie on a professional soccer team — that is, until he entered a local talent contest in his mid-teens and discovered that his soulful singing voice attracted girls. Lots of girls.
"For once, comparisons with the great Al Green are not entirely far-fetched," wrote Uncut magazine about that voice, and it took him barely three years once he had switched his career outlook from soccer player (for the record, he's a loyal Celtic FC fan) to singer to sign his first record contract at the age of 18.
Thanks to his autobiographical debut album, These Streets, Nutini's life became a whirlwind at that point, and before his teens were over he had four hit singles and a Platinum album in the U.K. He had shared bills with The Rolling Stones, Solomon Burke and Robert Plant, and Ben E. King had invited Nutini to sing onstage with him; he had performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City at the personal request of Atlantic Records founder and music industry icon Ahmet Ertegun; and the critics were praising his heartfelt, blue-eyed soul songs.
That career switch must be looking pretty good to Nutini these days.
Provenance: Born and raised in Paisley, Scotland, Nutini now makes his home in London.
Latest release: These Streets (2007)
© 2007 Nigel Music Media LLC. Used by permission.
Paolo Nutini
