(*Not the name of Nick’s new band. Fear not – Los Straitjackets remain, wonderfully, in place :-))
Some months ago I bought tickets to see Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets at the nearest gig to me (Hull).
Well I can report that last Friday’s gig was indeed wonderful. I have been in full-on, obsessive, watch-and-listen-to-everything-ever-recorded-by-Nick mode ever since and absolutely love this interview from The Late Show 1990.
What stands out is his absolute conviction, aged 40, that his songwriting life is just beginning and that he’s sure he’ll both sound and look fantastic aged 60. Well he’s now 70 and in the midst of a major, life-affirming tour so his prediction turned out pretty sound!
My post from deepest darkest January…
I saw him at the start of the month in Bristol and he was wonderful. A relaxed, engaged, charming and funny guy who is obviously enjoying this part of his career very much. He pitched up on Robert Elm’s 25 Year anniversary show on Radio London yesterday (available on the BBC Sounds catch up thingy) and that’s worth a listen Dougie if you are looking for all things Lowe.
Looking forward to receiving my copy of “Cruel To Be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe” by Will Birch on 15th August from the tax dodgers.
He’s a bona fide National Treasure now shirley?
I would say he’s been able to lay claim to the national treasure status for a good 20 years now.
I’m really hoping the book will be released as an audiobook but it’s not showing up as such on Amazon.
I have been on a similar journey since Sunday’s Exeter gig! He has such a deep back catalogue that you forget some hidden gems, and his set list was actually a really good mix. I must find that Word podcast where he talked to Mark Ellen – I remember laughing out loud!
There’s an excellent playlist on Spotify that claims to have Nick Lowe as it’s compiler. I’ve no idea how much involvement he had but it’s a cracking listen even when you already have all the albums.
Got my order in as well for that Will Birch book. Should be a cracker.
More mixed reviews here:
I really enjoyed the clip in the OP.
Warning: don’t watch it while eating or drinking. I almost choked on an apple at the 12 minute point, which is the pay-off of a story that starts at about 8:45.
Sorry have just seen this reply. Absolutely!
He tells the same story here, from around the four-minute mark. Great stuff.
He’s always been very good at telling a good story and making it sound like it’s the first time he’s told it. I’ve heard some of his stories several stories and he tells them so well, I’d be happy to hear them again.
yep.