"...I Throw The Laundry In...And Pick Out The Cleanest
Shirt…"
"The Brentford
Trilogy" by NICK LOWE is a 2009 UK CD reissue of 3 latter-day albums using
reconfigured packaging.
UK released July 2009 on Proper Records PRPCD025
(Barcode 805520030250) - you get "The Impossible Bird" from 1994 (40:28
minutes), "Dig My Mood" from 1998 (37:30 minutes) and "The
Convincer" from 2001 (38:04 minutes).
And in January 2020 - it's
available for just under a tenner - and it's a (if you'll forgive the pun) proper bargain.
Instead of the original jewel cases - the outer card slipcase
contains the three albums in tasteful gatefold card digipaks (album credits on
the inside) that are in turn sided by a 12-page booklet. PAUL GORMAN provides
the affectionate and informative liner notes and there are new photos by LUCY
ROGERS and GEORGIA RILEY. Although there's no mention anywhere of remastering -
I’d swear that all three albums are sonically improved over my old versions –
they sound just beautiful now.
Nick Lowe songs are sly – you
think there's not a lot going on at first – but there is. They're immaculately
played and recorded to start with and although based in rock - they're
effortlessly soulful too even when he's gone into a boogie. And then there's
the great lyrics - witty one moment - heartbreaking the next – like Elvis
Costello at his best.
Take the hangover song
"Lately I've Let Things Slide" from "The Convincer" (lyrics
above) – the words are very funny, acidic almost - yet infused with an unsettling
hurt that just gets to you time and time again. Its melody is beautifully
arranged too, complimented by Herb Alpert trumpets and Spencer Davis organ
throughout that somehow make it even more poignant. It's typical of the
song-writing class that drips off almost everything on here. The drinking and
brawling "Indian Queens" sounds like an unplugged Bruce Springsteen
on a Pete Seeger tip - while "What Lack Of Love Has Done" is just
fantastic, a song about singing songs of love and heartbreak on every stage
around the world. There are so many other examples of consummately great tunes
like these… and now it all sounds sweet as a nut too.
If I was to point out a
downside - it's the disappointing lack of outtakes or extras. But retailing at
just above a ten spot in a megastore and even less online – this dinky little
box set is a great way of acquiring albums you need in your life. And for those
who already own them – there's the upgraded sound to look forward to.
The blurb on the rear
declares Nick Lowe to be "Britain's Greatest Living Songwriter" – and
on the strength of these 3 masterpieces, you have to say Proper Records has a
point. Besides - any man who writes a song called "12-Step Program (To
Quit You Babe)" is good in bed and a frigging genius...
PS: The Sir Nicholas Lowe
campaign starts here. Please make cheques payable to the Mark Barry
"Consciousness And Social Happiness Society" Fund - or CASH for
short…
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