Nick Lowe - BBC 4 Sessions

Thanks for that - might have missed it.


SJB


BBC Four Sessions: Nick Lowe

Friday 20 July
10:30pm - 11:30pm
BBC4

Who else would write a song about a traffic bottleneck in Cornwall? Now a senior figure on the British music scene, Nick Lowe delivers a country-flavoured live set, including tracks from his new album, At My Age. He's very much the affable frontman and in fine voice, with a hatful of new songs and some sparklers from the back catalogue. The best of them are here: Cruel to Be Kind, What's So Funny 'bout Peace Love and Understanding, I Knew the Bride and The Beast in Me, which Lowe wrote for his one-time father-in-law, Johnny Cash.

Loved it! Oh dear, more records to buy...

Apparently Nick Lowe is rather minted due to more famous people covering his songs. Curtis Steigers covers 'Whats so fuuny about...' for the Bodyguard soundtrack which made him about £1m! In addition to the above, the Quo, Johnny Cash, Solomon Burke have all done his tunes. Basically he has all the money and kudos without the hassle!

I recorded Friday's show and just watched it twice over, it was very, very good. Exemplary music for grown-ups. I have now ordered Impossible Bird and look forward to listening to it late into the night with a whisky, wallowing in the ballads.

I have to say that the last 4 Nick Lowe albums are exemplary. At My Age is even a HDCD, which I consider the icing on the cake. It really was an excellent gig though wasn't it! I defy anyone to find a more perfect pop song than Cruel To Be Kind and I think there's nothing better than a small ensemble in complete charge of their instruments and given great unshowy material to get on with.

Mike

I think the 'Beast in me' and 'Wither on a vine' stand comparison with anything by any artist, total classics. He has written many classics but is under appreciated especially when compared to, say, Elvis Costello.