Nick Lowe, respected songwriter, vocalist, musician, producer, wit, raconteur, and much more besides, was born March 24th, 1949 in Walton-On-Thames, England. His first sorties into the recording studio came in the late 60's as bass player/vocalist of Kippington Lodge. After five singles on Parlaphone, the band evolved into Brinsley Schwarz, who became stalwarts of the burgeoning London Pub-Rock scene in the early 70's. Despite a string of fine singles and critically acclaimed albums, commercial paydirt proved elusive, and the band broke up in 1975, after which Nick turned his adroit hand to record production. His early efforts at the production helm included the Graham Parker & The Rumor debut album, Howling Wind.
Along with manager Jake Riviera and Dave Robinson, Nick formed Stiff Records in 1976 with a timely financial boost from Dr. Feelgood vocalist, the late Lee Brilleaux. Nickand Stiff Records' debut single - catalogue number BUY 1 - was the rocking "Heart of the City"/"So it Goes". An instant classic, rapidly selling out its original pressing, the single heralded the start of the great British Indie label boom, and also reflected the nascent Punk Rock explosion that was sweeping a turgid UK music business.
Nick's reputation was further enhanced by his prodution work on My Aim is True, the debut album by Elvis Costello, which was released in August 1977. The production liason was to last for Elvis' first five albums, and their working relationship has continued throughout the intervening years, with Nick guesting on bass guitar on several tracks on Costello's Brutal Youth album in 1994. Latterly in 1977, Nick and Elvis starred alongside fellow Stiff Records artists such as Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, and others as part of the legendary "Live Stiffs" tour. Nick also found time to produce records by fellow Stiff-ers The Damned, future Rockpile partner Dave Edmunds, and Costello's backing band on My Aim is True, Californian Country Rockers, Clover.
Following Riviera's departure from Stiff, Nick and Elvis decamped to the Radar label, and Nick's first solo album, Jesus of Cool (renamed Pure Pop for Now People in the U.S.A.), was also the label's inaugural album. Featuring the smash hit single, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," it also included many examples of Nick's production mastery and witty pop sensibility that the album's varied musical stylings reflected by the multifarious guises adopted by Nick on the record sleeve.
Nick's career as a performer ran parallel to his success as a producer. In 1979, he produced "Stop Your Sobbing," the debut single from the Pretenders, and also released his Labour of Lust album, which yielded the hit singles "Crackin' Up" and "Cruel to be Kind." Later that same year, he married Carlene Carter.
Nick was much in demand as a producer throughout the 80's on records by Carlene Carter, Paul Carrack, The Men They Couldn't Hang, The Redskins, John Hiatt and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, to name a few. To devote so much of his time to production work and nonetheless record such fine albums as Nick The Knife (1982),The Abominable Snowman (1983), Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit (1984),Rose of England (1985) and Pinker and Prouder Than Previous (1988), says much for the man's staying power. He was also involved as one of the four musicians on Bring the Family, John Hiatt's 1987 album, which did much to restart Hiatt's career.
After the critically acclaimed Party of One album in 1990, Nick reunited with John Hiatt, Jim Keltner and Ry Cooder (the band that backed Hiatt on Bring the Family) in 1992 as one quarter of Little Village. The project promised more than it delivered, however, and the band broke up.
Nick continues to enjoy the respect and admiration of his contemporaries, and a Curtis Stigers cover of one of his best-loved songs "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding," was featured on the soundtrack to the Kevin Costner/Whitney Houston film, The Bodyguard.
Nick's album, The Impossible Bird, includes his own version of "Beast In Me," a song written for Johnny Cash, which, by the Man in Black's own admission, is the theme song for his American Recordings album. The Impossible Bird contains some of Nick's most personal songs, heartfelt vocal performances of his career, and ranks as one of his proudest achievements. On his next album, Dig My Mood, Nick once again explores the melodic and lyrical possibilities of heartbreak to wonderful effect.
Nick's 11th album, The Convincer, completes what can be considered a trilogy of mood pieces. This time exploring the same soulful ground as The Impossible Bird & Dig My Mood, Nick touches on everything from the folk-song narrative of "Indian Queens" to the pop majesty of "Cupid Must Be Angry" and the tongue-in-cheek twang of "Has She Got A Friend." A cover of Johnny Rivers.. immortal "Poor Side of Town" rubs elbows nicely with the soulful sounds of Nick's original material, which evokes everything from Stax to Bacharach. The Convincer features contributions from the core collaborators Bobby Irwin (drums) & Geraint Watkins (keyboards) and features some particularly choice playing from guitarist Steve Donelly.
Ok, Nick Lowe is REALLY underrated and it's so incredibly LAME to me that they haven't re-released any of his early albums in the U.S.A. but it needs to happen soon!
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The next Bossa Nova Beatnik sighting will be as the party band for a Gala in support of Artists and Choreographers hosted by the Soon Young Kim Dance Company in Brooklyn, NY on January 23.
Hello Nick Best wishes from the North of England. Really looking forward to the re-release of 'Jesus Of Cool.' Wonderful album, brilliant memories. Take care & all the best. Paul
Upon the tree of life we gaze deeply the eyes of God shine in you boldly we dare let go of the shore we float in bliss river of life ocean of love Garden of Delight
Peace and Love, Paul
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