"Jesus Of Cool" by NICK LOWE [ex Brinsley Schwarz] – 1978 Debut Solo Album in the UK on Radar (called "Pure Pop For Now People" in the USA with different tracks on Epic) (February 2008 UK Proper Records Deluxe Edition Expanded CD Reissue – Vic Anesini Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Pure Pop For Now People…"

Like Elvis Costello's "My Aim Is True", Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp!" and "The Boomtown Rats" self-titled debut album – Nick Lowe's brilliant 1978 debut "Jesus Of Cool" is the kind of record that not only doesn't date - but somehow gets cooler as the decades pass, ageing like good wine (a little like the dapper Rock 'n' Roll gent himself). 

Here are the Breaking Glasses, Bunches of Stiffs and They Called It Rock details…

UK released February 2008 – "Jesus Of Cool" by NICK LOWE is a Deluxe Extended Edition Single CD on Proper Records CHOSEN1 (Barcode 805520039994) and breaks down as follows (62:51 minutes):

1. Music For Money (Side 1)

2. I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass

3. Little Hitler

4. Snake And Pop

5. Tonight

6. So It Goes (Side 2)

7. No Reason

8. 36 Inches High

9. Marie Provost

10. Nutted By Reality

11. Heart Of The City (Live)

Tracks 1 to 11 on this CD are his UK debut solo album "Jesus Of Cool" released March 1978 in the UK on Radar Records RAD 1. Note: "Heart Of The City" on the album is 'live' – the single version is the studio cut.

The LP was issued May 1978 in the USA as "Pure Pop For Now People" on Columbia Records JC 35329 with an entirely different running order. This 21-track CD with allow fans to sequence the US version using the following songs/numbers…

1. So It Goes [6] – Side 1

2. I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass [2]

3. Tonight [5]

4. Marie Provost [9]

5. Heart Of The City [20]

6. Rollers Show [18]

7. They Called It Rock [14] - Side 2

8. No Reason [7]

9. Little Hitler [3]

10. Nutted By Reality [10]

11. 36 Inches High [8]

12. Music For Money [1]

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Shake That Rat – non-album track, A2 of the 4-track "Bowi EP" released May 1977 in the UK on Radar Records LAST 1 - see also 15 for A1, 9 for B1 and 16 for B2

13. I Love My Label – exclusive track on the UK Various Artists label sampler LP "A Bunch Of Stiffs" released April 1977 on Radar Records SEEZ 2

14. They Called It Rock – non-album track, B-side to his 3rd UK 7" single "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" released February 1978 on Radar Records ADA 1

15. Born A Woman - non-album track, A1 of the 4-track "Bowi EP" released May 1977 in the UK on Radar Records LAST 1 - see also 12 for A2, 9 for B1 and 16 for B2

16. Endless Sleep – non-album track, B2 of the "Bowi EP" (see above). Also B-side to the October 1978 USA single for "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" on Columbia 10844

17. Halfway To Paradise - non-album track, A-side to his 2nd UK 7" single "Halfway To Paradise" released May 1977 on Stiff Records BUY 2. A Billy Fury cover version – Goffin/King song.

18. Rollers Show – track on the USA LP version "Pure Pop For Now People" – see above

19. Cruel To Be Kind (Original Version) – non-album track, B-side to UK 7" single of "Little Hitler" released May 1978 on Radar Records ADA 12

20. Heart Of The City – non-album track, B-side to his debut UK 7" single "So It Goes" released August 1976 on Stiff Records BUY 1

21. I Don't Want The Night To End - non-album track, B-side to his 2nd UK 7" single "Halfway To Paradise" released May 1977 on Stiff Records BUY 2

The packaging is unique and gorgeous - a multi-flap card sleeve that eventually folds out to a cross shape of Nick Lowe with each of the individual flaps covered in the US artwork, memorabilia montages and colour photos (it looks brill when folded out). The oversized 12-page booklet has fantastic period memorabilia pictured - like buttons, "Jesus Of Cool" ties, Street Advert Placards and even the Master Room Acetate of "So It Goes". There’s also a witty and informative essay by WILL BIRCH on Lowe's departure from England's Brinsley Schwarz after four albums with modest success – the formation of Stiff and Radar – and the sheer heady musical experience of 1976 to 1978. But the really great news for fans is the Audio – VIC ANESINI Remasters done in New York – and they’re so damn good. And as outlined above – this impossibly cool reissue will allow American fans to sequence the "Pure Pop For Now People" version they bought in 1978 – arguably a better listen actually (much like The Clash debut which suffered the same fate of hugely different track runs).

His debut UK 45 "So It Goes" b/w "Heart Of The City" is one those fabulous Seventies singles that somehow eluded so many – both tracks are belters and Anesini's remaster of "Heart In The City" (Studio Version) in particular rocks. The Instrumental "Bowi EP" track "Shake That Rat" sounds just HUGE rattling your speakers with a gnawing power - it feels like Rockpile firing on all sixes. And of course there’s the rattling echoed guitar of "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" – as cool as it gets. 

Album favourites for me include the very Rockpile sounding "Tonight" where they go all Everly Brothers and the creepy vibe of "36 Inches High" sounding like Elvis Costello getting mean on too many drugs. The remaster wallops The Jackson 5 opening of "Nutted By Reality" where Nick discusses Castro's unfortunate brush with genital torture (nice) - while the live cut of "Heart Of The City" should really have been the studio version that is one the great tracks of the period (Dr. Feelgood covered it on their 1991 set "Primo" with Lee Brilleaux giving it some big time Nick).

So there you have it – sexy, cool, nutting reality on the noggin (ouch) – in short a fabulous CD reissue.

"...Repent for He doth record…" - was one of the placards used in the "Jesus Of Cool" street campaigns around London in 1978. Thank God Nick Lowe has been sinning ever since...

"The Brentford Trilogy" by NICK LOWE (July 2009 UK Proper Records 3CD Reissue – Three Card Digipaks In A Card Wrap for Three Albums - "The Impossible Bird" (1994), "Dig My Mood" (1998) and "The Convincer" (2001)) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...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…

"I SAW THE LIGHT: Overlooked Albums 1955 to 1979" - Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Remasters For Over 500 Forgotten LPs - A SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOK by Mark Barry...

The SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOK Series...

I SAW THE LIGHT

Overlooked Albums From 1955 to 1979 

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Reviews for 505 Forgotten LPs
A Huge 3,200 E-Pages of In-Depth Info From The Discs...
(March 2024 Update)

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* 3,100 E-pages, a huge 505 Reviews for Exceptional CD Reissues/Remasters

* March 2024 Update (25 New Entries)

* LPs from 1955 to 1979 in year-by-year/month-by-month order

* CD Remasters spanning 1990 to 2024

* Info and photos from the actual discs; no cut and paste from other well-known sites

* Formats included - CD, SACD [Super Audio CD], HDCD [High Density Compatible Digital], Japan SHM-CD and Japan Platinum SHM-CD  [Super High Materials]

* Major Label Box Set Retrospectives from – EMI, Sony/Legacy, Universal and WEA

* Best Independent Reissue Labels highlighted...

– Ace, Audio Fidelity, Bear Family, Beats Goes On, Big Break Records (BBR), Cherry Red, Earth, Edsel, Esoteric Recordings, Grapefruit, Hip-O Select, Light In The Attic, Mobile Fidelity, Raven, Repertoire, Rev-Ola, Rhino, Salvo, Soul Music Records, Sundazed and Panegyric

* Technical data from the discs themselves (total playing times and more)

* Release Date, Catalogue No and Barcode to locate the correct issue

* Track lists and Details on Bonus material (if any)

* Vinyl Discographies referencing CD Box sets (track numbers to sequence singles and albums from the discs)

* UK and US catalogue numbers and release dates for original vinyl albums, 7" singles and EPs within each review

* Remaster/Tape Transfer Engineers highlighted

* Packaging descriptions, size of booklets, what’s contained within, who wrote the liner notes, repro artwork explained

* Reference to the Audio Quality of the CD - analysis of songs

* Guest Musicians highlighted – Cover Versions noted

RECORD LABELS covered by the book include:

ABC, ABC/Dunhill, A&M, Anchor, Apple, Ardent, Asylum, Atlantic/Atco, Bearsville, Blue Horizon, Capitol, Capricorn, CBS, Charisma, Chrysalis, Columbia, Dandelion, Dawn, Decca, Deram (Nova), DJM, Elektra, EMI, Epic, Fantasy, Fly, Fontana, Harvest, Immediate, Island, Kapp, Liberty, London, Marmalade, MCA, Mercury, MGM, Monument, Mooncrest, Parlophone, Parrot, Polydor, Probe, Purple, Pye International, RAK, Rare Earth, RCA Victor, Reaction, Reprise, Rolling Stones, RSO, Shelter, Sire, Smash, Straight, Sussex, Track, Trojan, Uni, Vanguard, Vertigo, Verve, Virgin, United Artists and Warner Brothers

Having worked for RECKLESS RECORDS in London for over 20 years as one of their principal Vinyl and CD buyers (one of the best secondhand record shops in the West End) and having once been a 'Hall of Fame' Reviewer on Amazon six times - as you can imagine - I have and do come across a huge number of reissues - some far more worthy than others.

To that end I've collated together these SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOKS Series as guides to Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters offering up in-depth reviews on a wide range of titles. And it doesn't have to cost the earth to Sound Good either – you just need to know which CD is the right issue to buy. 

 

Many entries in this large and unique book cost less than £10 while others are under a fiver. And even if some Box Sets/Deletions have acquired a price tag - because they're the best I've included them along with artists/titles that deserve your attention…

Took forever to collate this book - but I think it's the best in the Series so far.

Hope you enjoy the reads – MARK BARRY (March 2024)

"MUSIC ON CD" Label - Some Cool Reissues in January/February 2020 of CD Rarities and Desirables

Some Cool Rock CD Reissues 
Coming your way in January/February 2020 on the 

MUSIC ON CD Label 

From Universal's Euro Reissue Label Imprint

Most are simply reissues of former remasters with a simply inlay

They usually come in a round-corner jewel case

"Olias Of Sunhillow" 

by YES frontman JON ANDERSON

Brilliant and Beautiful 1975 First Solo Album originally on Atlantic Records in elaborate artwork

There's been an Audiophile Reissue in the USA and Japanese Mini LP 

But Both of these Remasters are long deleted and hugely pricey

Not sure which Remaster (if any) Music On CD are using

But nice to see the album finally on a better CD than the naff 90s issue on WEA

MUSIC ON CD Release Date: 17 January 2020 (see link below)

"The Clarke/Duke Project" 

STANLEY CLARKE and GEORGE DUKE 

Reissue of their April 1981 Jazz-Funk LP on Epic Records 

MUSIC ON CD Label Release Date: 17 January 2020

"Home Made Ice Cream" 

TONY JOE WHITE's Third Album for Warner Brothers issued June 1973 

Last time a decent remaster was made available for this wickedly good and groovy album

Was The February 2015 Real Gone Music 2CD Anthology

"The Complete Warner Brothers Recordings" on Real Gone RGM-0329 (Barcode 848064003298)

Album contains "Backwoods Preacher Man" and "Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You"

MUSIC ON CD Label Release Date: 24 January 2020 (see link below)

"Mutineer"
WARREN ZEVON's July 1995 LP originally on RCA Records
Has been off radar for years and any reissue of his is manna to my ears
A huge talent
MUSIC ON CD Label Release Date: 31 January 2020



"Nils Lofgren"
NILS LOFGREN
His Hugely Revered and Loved April 1975 Debut Solo Album after CRAZY HORSE and GRIN
Originally on A&M Records (USA and UK)
With "Goin' Back", "Keith Don't Go", "One More Saturday Night", "The Sun Hasn't Set On This Boy Yet" and "Rock And Roll Crook"
As a reissue Remaster this albums has been on Hip-O Select (2007)
and as a part of his expensive "Face The Music" career retrospective Box Set from 2014
For such a great album, it's been surprisingly hard to find on CD hard copy
A Smart Reissue of "The Fat Man" Album
MUSIC ON CD Label Release Date: 7 February 2020

"Four Weddings And A Funeral" The 2019 TV Show Season 1 (10 Episodes) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Missandei Does A Dracarys in London..." 

"Four Weddings And A Funeral" - The 2019 TV SHOW

Let's be realistic here – for sure Season 1 of "Four Weddings And A Funeral - The TV Series" is hardly The Marx Brothers or The Coen Brothers or any other Brothers for that matter - so I can sort of understand the 45% to middling ratings for this 2019 HULA TV show on Rotten Tomatoes and other review sites.

But frankly those mean-spirited statistics are just way too harsh. With the same warmth and wit as the original 1994 movie that made Hugh Grant a star and Andie MacDowell and Kristen Scott Thomas household names - this 2019 TV Season of 10 episodes is very, very funny in places, surprisingly touching too and sports a hugely diverse and likeable cast given damn good writing to work with (there are breakout parts in here aplenty for so many of these new faces).

For sure the clichés and pastiches come hurtling at you very early on and some of the relationships like the impossibly gorgeous Maya and the nerdy Duffy just don't convince properly (even by episode 4). But there is much else to love and be happy about here. The appearances of the original film's cast in minor roles is cleverly paced (there is a nod to passing time and character roundups from "Notting Hill" in one of the later episodes that is brilliantly done) - the gals and guys are gorgeous to look at and given real witty and serious written meat to work with as the highs and lows pile up – Dermot Mulroney is a great introduction half way through and each principal character gets to stretch out as the episodes unfold.

Filling in for the scene-stealing and life-affirming Simon Callow role in the original film is a typically brill and acidic Alex Jennings. He plays a seemingly openly gay British MP who nonetheless has commitment issues that stretch way past his personal life and into the content of speeches he needs to back up and not just make for image-beneficial-effect. The young Guz Khan and the old-hand Harish Patel provide lots of laughs and genuine warmth as the Pakistani Hounslow crew supporting the will he-won't-he become an actor ambitions of lead character Kash (Nikesh Patel) who longs to be with Maya (as does she) but neither want to hurt friends, family or tradition. Special mention should also go to Zoe Boyle as the extraordinarily prudish Gemma who is simply brilliant as a rich and sort of pointless neighbour in what could have been a very difficult role for any one to like and yet gives a speech at a funeral that left me in tears of admiration. It's deep as well as bloody good fun...

Speaking of special mentions – Sophia La Porta as the big-chested perfect teethed Essex babe with a mouth that just doesn’t know when to quit is Gemma Collins fab - lighting up the screen every time she shows up in another ridiculously tight dress (Brandon Mychal Smith plays her lucky love interest Craig and matches her blow for blow too). The "Love Chalet" episode for instance clearly based on a "Love Island" reality show episode where Craig's girlfriend starts showing her booty to the world to make her boyfriend jealous is a hoot - everyone is sleeping with everyone else - muscle-bound brain-dead types display their lack of basic English and even smaller budgie-smuggler swimming trunks while be-atches in bikinis complain about European politics and nail polish (these are people we've actually seen on tele in the last few years). And once again Game of Thrones' Natalie Emmanuel (Maya) and The Mindy Project's Rebecca Rittenhouse (Ainsley) look so ludicrously beautiful all the time in a vast array of cool outfits that its hard to imagine any man could concentrate around them let alone converse with such obvious goddesses. And on it goes through ups and downs.

With Richard Curtis as an Executive Producer, great locations in London used and a boozy Saturday night sense of fun - "Four Weddings And A Funeral - The TV Series" is exactly the kind of Seasonal Cheer your drag-January needs. And I was kind of gutted when it ended. Dig in and enjoy...