Some acts you never forget their concerts. Nick Lowe is one of them. He may be best known for penning "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" and "Beast in Me," producing Elvis Costello's early albums, recording "Cruel to Be Kind" and/or his position in Rockpile, but he always delivers a killer show. And as time has passed, those shows have only grown increasingly graceful.
Fortunate enough to see - and appreciate - Rockpile during my college years, it wasn't until 1985, on my birthday no less, that I got to see the Jesus of Cool a second time. That band included Martin Belmont on guitar and Paul Carrack on keyboards; years later, at the El Rey, he was on a great double bill with Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham.
Plenty of bands share a similar affinity and the weekend of Feb. 22 and 23 will find a number of acts paying tribute to Mr. Lowe. The celebration is in conjunction with the Feb. 19 release of the 30th anniversary edition of "Jesus of Cool."
Declaring Lowe as their"spiritual co-pilot," those words come from the folks at Yep Roc, the North Carolina label that issues his recordings, during the weekend's concerts will be:
The Lowe Beats led by Scott McCaughey of the Minus Five/Young Fresh Fellows at Tractor Tavern in Seattle (Feb. 22);
The Lowlies led by Brent Lyles along with Eric Hisaw and Elizabeth McQueen at Austin's Hole in the Wall
(Feb. 22);
The Lowe Beats at Dante's in Portland, Ore. (Feb. 23);
Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom),Tony Goddess (Papas Fritas) and Ed Valauskas (Graham Parker) at Lizard Lounge in Boston (Feb. 23);
and the Lowe Numbers led by Bill Lloyd with Steve Allen (20/20) and Tom Peterson (Cheap Trick) at the Basement in Nashville (Feb. 23).
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