Nick Lowe - recommended listening?

Posted by: Philip Tate on 30 May 2009

Hello all,

Just got my tickets for Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe at the Sage Gateshead in July, and I can't wait. I've always been a huge fan of Ry Cooder, but I know nothing of Nick Lowe apart from his production work with Elvis Costello. I'd like to try his solo stuff but can see he's made quite a few albums - can anyone recommend a good place to start? Are there any substandard albums to avoid?

Thanks,

Phil

Posted on: 31 May 2009 by JWM

The recent album, At My Age, is also well-worth a listen, especially as you're bound to be getting a good lot of it at the gig!

Posted on: 31 May 2009 by Mike Hughes

Very much a career of two halves. Labour of Lust Or Jesus Of Cool are good summaries of the more pop/pub rock side but the mature stuff is more economic and sparser. The Impossible Bird was the peak but is now hard to source. The Convincer is very good but At My Age probably edges it.

Having said that, the live experience tops the lot. His mature versions of old classics like Cruel To Be Kind are excellent. Enjoy.

Mike

Posted on: 02 June 2009 by soundsreal

Yes, enjoy! You're going to a great show. He is so good live. Yes, buy the latest, he'll still be doing some of that. He also has an excellent live album, with wonderful sound, which will really give you the goods. Enjoy, lucky dog!

Posted on: 03 June 2009 by Giules Felgate

You could always try either of his two his complilation albums "Basher: The best of Nick Lowe" and "Quiet Please:the best of Nick Lowe" The second one is a DVD/CD compo. It tends to concentrate on the early part of his then 25 year career - over a third is just from LoL and Jesus of Cool. Oh and to the best of my knowledge LoL isn't available new. Another avenue is his work with Brinsley Schwarz, some of which still forms his live work.

regards,

Giles

Posted on: 04 June 2009 by davidsee

I would add Party of One to the above. But then, All Men Are Liars. Oh, and the Bowi EP if you can find it.