With a platinum-selling album and a top-ten single behind him, 19 year-old Paolo Nutini has already amassed comparisons to the great-singer songwriters of yesteryear, including the great American bluesmen. Praise indeed, but perhaps the time is right to be reminded that we are dealing with a teenager here.
Jenny Don't Be Hasty, a song about a woman Nutini met in London's 12 Bar, essentially tells the story of a young man failing to pull an older woman. With expertly simple lyrics and deep sensitivity, this captures the similar folkish elements that made Last Request so powerful.
This single, however, avoids the deeply moving format of the latter, in favour of something bright, bouncy and undeniably fun. Crowing "Jenny don't be hasty, don't treat me like a baby", Nutini showcases the same raw and effortlessly melodic vocal this is sure to make him a superstar, with the occasional emergence of his heavy Scottish accent adding an endearing touch. .
An uncomplicated 3 and a half minutes that could shape a national treasure; Paolo Nutini has the youthful exuberance and the heartfelt romance to make his Italian descendants proud. Bellissimo.
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