Various Artists
Album: Lowe Country: The Songs Of Nick Lowe
Label: Fiesta Red
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.fiestaredrecords.com

'Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe' is not the first tribute album to the musician, singer, songwriter and producer who was at the heart of the pub rock and new wave scenes. 'Labour of Love: The Music of Nick Lowe' was released in 2001 and featured the likes of Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and Dar Williams. 'Lowe Profile: A Tribute to Nick Lowe' came out four years later and had twice the number of tracks by artists of a slightly lower profile. It is testament to the songs in question that it is possible for another album to be released and not feel that it going over old ground.

Most of the artists are "up-and-coming and/or left-of-centre", although I'm not entirely sure which ones don't fit into one of those categories. Maybe Hayes Carll or Chatham County Line has gone all mainstream whilst retaining the edge that has made them essential listening over the past few years. Robert Ellis' take on 'All Men Are Liars' wings along at a fair pace and is immediately contrasted by the sparseness of Amanda Shires with her version of 'I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass'. JEFF the Brotherhood channels Elvis Costello on 'Marie Provost' and pedal steel to the fore on 'When I write the Book' by Glaswegian Colin Taylor AKA The Unsinkable Boxer.

As well as performing the essential purpose of a cover / tribute / compilation album - introducing new artists and/or new takes on old songs a portion of the proceeds of the sales of the album will go to two charities: 'The Nashville Rising Fund' and 'The Central Texas Wildfire Fund'. Personally I think the album is worth buying just for Erin Enderlin's achingly beautiful 'Lover Don't Go' and if they could just have found someone to have a stab at 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding' to would be a nigh on perfect album.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes