Jesus of Cool is the solo debut album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe after leaving Brinsley Schwarz in 1974. Produced by Lowe, it was released in March 1978 in the UK. On the cover of the album, Nick Lowe is pictured in six rock & roll get-ups, such as hippie, folkie, greasy rock & roller, new wave hipster. The cover gives one the not-so-subtle implication that this guy can do anything. Well he adequately proves that assumption correct on this album, a record so good it was named twice. Lowe's American record label got the jitters with the [...]
We here at HT Headquarters were completely hooked on the first season of Elvis Costello's talk show/variety hour Spectacle . From the great guests to Costello's combination of music geekiness and witty charm, it was a must watch. When it was announced that the show would be back for a second season on the Sundance Channel, we couldn't wait to see who'd be joining Costello on stage each week. Season two has already featured an impressive array of talent from Bono & The Edge to Neko Case, Sheryl Crow and Jesse Winchester participating in a special "guitar [...]
Click here to view the embedded video. I haven't had a chance to check out much of Elvis Costello's new show, Spectacle, but I've been watching the clips and highlights and wish I had access to the Sundance Channel. Recently, Costello closed out his show with one of the greatest collective talents on one stage for a rousing cover of The Band's "The Weight." To wit: Ray LaMontagne, Levon Helm, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson, Larry Campbell and Allen Toussaint join Elvis Costello & the Imposters. I love "The Weight" as a [...]
"The Weight" is one of the best penned songs as far as I'm concerned. I actually got to hear Levon play it in person last year in Chicago. It's been some time since we shared a cover of the song , but this one is far too special to let pass without a mention. Elvis Costello's Spectacle has become essential viewing at my house. Most recently, Costello closed out his show with one of the greatest collective talents on one stage for a rousing cover of The Band's "The Weight." Watch [...]
Received a letter from our State Labor Department mandating I go to "unemployment counseling". Failure to adhere would mean they could screw with my benefits. So, today I went. We were herded into an office and advised on various methods of assistance, including career consultation, training in email, resume advice; etc. All useful for the unwashed masses. However, as a former upper tier exec, I found it all depressing and humbling. That might be arrogant, but looking around at my fellow jobless, I could understand why most of them were unemployed. People had problems filling out simple forms. Sad. [...]
I was fortunate enough to attend the original taping of Wednesday night's Spectacle: Elvis Costello With… ( airing Dec 23 at 10PM on Sundance ) and after seeing the entire thing on TV, I think this episode plays better now that it has been whittled down to a television friendly 45 minutes. As for the performances within the show, the full band rendition of "The Weight" (complete with 3 guitarists, 2 drummers, 2 bass players, 1 piano player, 1 keyboard player and Ray LaMontagne ) was the highlight of the night for [...]
"When you stick a song on a tape, you set it free." — Rob Sheffield, Love Is A Mixtape Everybody Taste is going on holiday from tomorrow through January 4th. While I'm gone, I hope you will enjoy this homemade artifact of love and time that I'll be taking on the road with me—a mixtape. I promise each song and its position were belabored over. You can grab the entire mix as a zip file below. SIDE 1: Spacemen 3 - "Feel So Good" [...]
The second season of Elvis Costello's 'rock-talk show' series " Spectacle: Elvis Costello with… " premieres Wednesday, December 9, with U2's Bono and The Edge as special guests. Episodes air on Sundance Channel each Wednesday at 10pm ET. Guests for future episodes will include Sheryl Crow, Levon Helm, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson, Larry Campbell, Allen Toussaint, Lyle lovett, Ray LaMontagne, John Price Neko Case, Ron Sexsmith and Jesse Wincester, among others. The show's season finale will be a two-part feature with Bruce Springsteen. I was actually lucky enough to get to attend the episode with Levon Helm, Nick [...]
Nick Lowe: So It Goes At first you want to start singing: You know that chick that used to dance a lot Every night she'd be on the floor shaking what she'd got Man when I tell you she was cool, she was red hot I mean she was steaming So, is there some trivia here that I don't know about? Both singles were released in '76.
Truchas Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains , Santa Fe National Forest , New Mexico MP3: Paul Simon - Hearts and Bones
Photo: Davey Wilson Download podcast: Courtney Smith's review of Champagne in Seashells Download MP3: Liam Finn "Plane Crash" Liam Finn is a musical legacy. His is the son of Neil Finn, who is famous in his own right, but more so for bands Crowded House and Split Enz. The latter band was started by his brother Tim Finn, Liam's uncle, who also joined in to record and tour with Crowded House for one of their later albums, Woodface . [...]
When the first season of your critically acclaimed Sundance Channel series managed to attract both Bill Clinton and Lou Reed as guests, it's hard to imagine topping that in season two. And yet, it looks like the new round of Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... shows is going to very high-wattage indeed. This year's marquee names are two of the biggest in rock: Bruce Springsteen and Bono . And the rest of the line-up is nothing to sneeze at either, including Sheryl Crow , Lyle Lovett , [...]
Festivals are an amazing opportunity to get acquainted with artists that have somehow remained just outside your grasp. Nick Lowe was someone I always meant to invest in more seriously, but hadn't yet. So ring the bells, chums, 'cause one man, a guitar, and a three-minute pop song be a mighty, mighty thing. I often prefer to see the seriously talented songwriters in this sort of format, uncluttered by bandmates and solos. Just getting an overview of a fella's work from his own point of view. Did I mention he [...]
Photo by Ken FriedmanIn four hours, I'll be in Golden Gate Park, listening to the Nightwatchman, Tom Morello's folk persona, to be followed by John Prine and Lyle Lovett. And that's just the slow first day at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Did I mention it's free?I first came to the festival two years ago (and I'm listening to the Jeff Tweedy set from that year as I write) and of course
Everyone's favorite "occasionally blugrass" festival kicks off today in San Francisco. Check out the full three-day lineup and stage times over at Hardly Strictly's official site or enjoy some MP3s from some of this year's highlights. Friday: John Prine - "The Great Compromise" Lyle Lovett - "Record Lady" Saturday: Gillian Welch - "The Devil had a Hold of Me" Steve Earle - "Ellis Unit One" Laurie Lewis - "Who Will [...]
Everyone's favorite "occasionally blugrass" festival kicks off today in San Francisco. Check out the full three-day lineup and stage times over at Hardly Strictly's official site or enjoy some MP3s from some of this year's highlights. Friday: John Prine - "The Great Compromise" Lyle Lovett - "Record Lady" Saturday: Gillian Welch - "The Devil had a Hold of Me" Steve Earle - "Ellis Unit One" Laurie Lewis - "Who Will [...]
Nick Lowe : Rose Of England [ purchase ] The album Rose Of England by Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit may best be remembered for I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock And Roll). But the entire LP was a gem. So much so that we nearly wore it out. Among the tracks was a great cover of Moon Mullican's Seven Nights To Rock. Also, Long Walk Back, Darlin' Angel Eyes and Lucky Dog, fast became other must play favorites. And while many times the title song of [...]
And you thought Outside Lands Festival was a shitshow for people that live in San Francisco. Wait until all the crazies and hippies descend on Golden Gate Park this weekend (October 2nd - 4th) for what may quite possibly be one of the best free concert festivals in the country. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is exactly how the title suggests, the bluegrass but in the mix you'll find Nick Lowe, MC Hammer, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Tom Morello, Steve Martin (Yes, THAT Steve Martin), Okkervil River, Old 97's, Emmylou Harris, Robyn Hitchcock, Billy Bragg, [...]
Yeasayer – Odd Blood (Review)
TOUR: The Tallest Man On Earth Announces U.S. Dates
New Releases V2.9
[mp3] Joanna Newsom - "Kingfisher"
Hot Chip: One Life Stand
