NPR: Old Music Tuesdays: Nick Lowe

All Songs Considered: Fall in Love with New Music Every Week

Old Music Tuesdays: Nick Lowe

by Bob Boilen

I was going through my 45s the other day and dusted off this Nick Lowe tune for consideration. That day, by coincidence, I received an email that Jesus of Cool, the LP this very song, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" came from, was being reissued for a 30th anniversary edition.

A few fun things to listen for: This came out in 1977, the same year David Bowie put out an album called Low. Nick Lowe counters with an EP called Bowi.

This song, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" was an obvious response to Bowie's "Sound and Vision."

Jesus of Cool, Nick Lowe's first solo album, was never released in the U.S. though the LP Pure ,Pop for Now People, released in the U.S. in 1978 was, and contained a lot of the same songs as Jesus of Cool. Was the industry afraid to use "Jesus" for an LP title? My guess is yes.

Nick Lowe is still a vibrant and charismatic teller of tales. You can hear a wonderfully engaging concert by Nick Lowe from 2007 and an interview by going to our concert series.

4:19 PM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

This is the best news I've heard today. I've been waiting for somebody to reissue Nick Lowe's first two albums on CD (this one and Labour of Lust) for years now, because I want them on my iPod but I can't bear to pay the extortionate prices the OOP CD versions bring on ebay. I have them on LP, but I do most of my music listening on the iPod these days. Looks like it's coming out Feb. 19th. And Bob, you're absolutely right, the title was changed to Pure Pop for Now People for the US market because the record company was afraid Jesus of Cool would be too controversial. Sad thing is, they were probably right.

Sent by Gary | 2:52 PM ET | 01-17-2008

Bob, what a great choice! I haven't heard "...Breaking Glass" in YEARS, but to me it has always represented Nick Lowe at his very best!

Let me also take a moment to thank NPR for the podcasts of "All Songs Considered". I've been living in the UK just over 5 years now, and it's through your podcasts that I stay in touch with your fascinating musical knowledge...and taste!

Janet
(lordcelery.blogspot.com)

Sent by Janet Lawrence | 3:46 AM ET | 01-23-2008

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