One for the Road: A Double Shot of Nick Lowe

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 8, 2010 10:30PM

It can't be overstated how much of an influence Nick Lowe was as a producer on those early Elvis Costello and the Attractions records. But he was and is a great musician in his own right. Yep Roc Records' 2008 reissue of Lowe's seminal 1978 release Jesus of Cool is a quintessential road trip record. It's kept me company on numerous Chicago to New Glarus round trips. I could also imagine Tankboy spinning the two songs featured here - "Heart of the City" and "They Call It Rock" - during one of his DJ gigs to push the crowd into 3 a.m. with some energy. The former song, in particular, is four minutes of lightning in a bottle.

Nick Lowe and His Band play at Old Town School of Folk Music tomorrow and Sunday.