Reviews

Nick Lowe
Album: The Old Magic
Label: Proper
Tracks:11
Website: http://www.nicklowe.net

'I'm fearful my chances of crossing over Jordan into glory may be compromised by the pies I've had my fingers in.' It's a great lyric, classic Nick Lowe in which he works mighty hard to sound like he's just throwing things together - and it's dropped as early as this fine album's second cut, Checkout Time.

At 62, Nick Lowe is a long way from raging at the dimming of the light, he's all for polishing up the twinkle in the eye, nudging fate firmly in the ribs and demanding another round.

A traditionalist all his musical life - check out Kippington Lodge and you'll find there's as much Hank Williams as Pink Floyd in there; Brinsley Schwarz made a virtue of unfashionable country rock; and Lowe's early solo work allowed his near-creation Elvis Costello a grounding in 'proper' music while young MacManus diddled about with all that new-fangled new wave stuff and played at being a pop star.

Not only has Lowe seemingly borrowed his former protégé's specs for this new album - his first in four years - he's also returned the favour Elvis bestowed on his then producer with a cover of (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love & Understanding by tackling Costello's Poisoned Rose and taking it to a softer, gentler and somehow darker place.

The Old Magic is every bit as crafted as you would expect any Nick Lowe album to be, but this is seriously impressive. Where he could easily dash out an earthy, bluesy, beery love letter to country-inflected pub rock, he has taken the long way round to immerse himself in early Elvis, Jim Reeves, Buck Owens, later Sam Cooke, even George Jones. There's a lightness of touch at work on tracks like I Read A Lot and the glorious House For Sale, which neatly manages a reference to Peace, Love…, while the closing 'Til the Real Thing Comes Along will make middle-aged men weep and young men feel good about getting old.

In his autumn years, Nick Lowe continues to reveal himself as a man for all reasons…

Nick Churchill

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