Ranking Records: Nick Lowe

I’m back again this time to look at the 14 studio LPs from one of my all-time favorite artists, Mr. Nick Lowe. Again, his is another record catalog that I have had the pleasure of experiencing in real time since Nick’s debut in 1978. The “Jesus of Cool” has sure made some great “Pure Pop for Now People” over the years.
Things did change a bit for Nick in 1998 when he turned to a more sensitive singer-songwriter style. Nonetheless, “Phase Two” of Nick’s career has produced some of his best work and in my opinion, has made him the Sinatra of our generation.
He’s still putting out great music and I will update you on that as well.
As always, thanks for watching my video and please show your support by hitting the “Like” and “Subscribe” buttons on the KZbin page. And if you like this one, there are several other videos for you to watch at my “Ranking Records’ Playlist. I also have other playlists of my musical adventures that you might enjoy as well.
www.musiccitymike.net

[@garyolshan4177]

Just saw Nick in L.a. and he was fantastic! Cowboy Outfit is a masterpiece brilliant pop. Every song is great!

[@williedegee1]

I love the songs Wildest dream & Big big love from P&ptp

[@matskarlsson]

Hi! You say phase two begins with "Dig My Mood", I would say it starts with "Impossible Bird".

[@mbodayle]

I can go along with that!

[@GordonReeder2011]

I think its the Bird as well.

[@paulread8978]

Agreed.

[@rickmay6932]

Thanks for ranking the Nick Lowe catalog. How about a ranking of the albums of his fellow Rockpile comrade, Dave Edmunds?

[@mbodayle]

That's a certianty.

[@mcpop3005]

Hi Mike. I’m happy to see you feature Nick Lowe. I agree with your ranking. I especially love those first three albums and “So It Goes” is one of my all time favorite songs. Unfortunately I have yet to see Nick perform live but I hope to rectify that someday when musician touring resumes. Be well. - Matt

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

I always think of Dig My Mood as the 'no more jokes' album, like he was suddenly confident enough to play it straight. I love it. Having said that I do love the rocking, punning, bouncing stuff too...... and Brinsley Schwarz......and Little Village....and some wonderful 'solo' stuff with the extraordinary, late lamented Steve Donnelly on guitar. I used to love the Rockpile days because it was double bubble time - a Nick followed by a Dave and less time to wait between. Great man.

[@briantronsgaard1423]

Pinker and Prouder is one of my favorites. great lyrics, great songs, warm sound. A great production compared to the stiff coldness of Party of One, which still has more than a couple great songs on it. I'm not sure if Nick Lowe has any albums that would go on the bottom of any list.

[@HiltonBenchley]

P&P was a break-up album for me, so some of the songs hit extra hard. I wouldn't have put it 9th of the first 9.

[@kevinmcardle4087]

I very much enjoy Phase 2 of Nick's career, but it's like he was a different artist altogether. Smart to seperate them. Good list, buddy.

[@k9burnouts544]

Wishin'Well from pinker'n'prouder is haunting . There is a lotta "soul"in nick lowe's stuff,ya' know?

[@kevtruth]

Great ranking video Mike. One of my favorite songs is from Nick The Knife called Raining, Raining. Pure Pop is one of the best albums of all time. I caught a Nick/Los Straightjackets show about 4 years ago and my goodness it was great. I've also seen the Straightjackets on their own

[@mbodayle]

Love Raining! Can't believe I didn't mention it.

[@rudebuddha4895]

I think your way of the mark. Pinker was a great and way underrated work. I love the "Mayberry Darling" band energy, innocence and looseness of it's spirit. How this could be on a worst list is just a reminder of the saying that there is two kinds of music, stuff you like and stuff you don't. Simple.

[@k9burnouts544]

Nick the knife is my choice for his best.I am trying to find the original columbia cd of Abominable Showman-( my choice for #2) A friend of mine buys every thing nick lowe so I,ve gotten to hear and enjoy it all, but these 2 are closest to me for personal reasons.

[@michellaake2394]

Another fun episode of Ranking Records. This time I think I agreed with everything! Uncanny! I know compilations and live albums don’t usually feature but I would like to plug the Quiet Please best of with the live dvd and also the Live Quality Holiday Revue and the excellent download only Live At New Haw River Ballroom.

[@mbodayle]

I need to watch that live DVD - right now!

[@stevewynnearts]

Great stuff

[@krisscanlon4051]

Jesus of Cool is my go to all though Brentwood Trilogy is fantastic

[@matskarlsson]

Thanks, a great walkthrough of Nick Lowe’s career. Just one more thing, I am pretty sure it was Wizzard and not the Move that released “I wish it would be Christmas every day”. Almost the same group but it was Wizzard. ;-)

[@andrewbowen8122]

“For all your Nick Lowe Needs” lol. I always go back to the Impossible Bird Album for absolute perfection. First album is brilliant and Rockpile were said to be a hard act to follow on stage as they’re had so much energy the crowd were done afterwards lol. If anyone plays guitar they would notice that Nick plays the guitar like nobody else, such large hands that play chords thatmust of come naturally to him? PS I love turning cool folk onto Nick Lowe.

[@rupaa62]

I think one of NIck's Best song's was from Nick the Knife was the single "My Heart Hurts" and you are oh so correct if someone would do a remake of "couldn't love you more than I do" that was one of the hidden Gems on that album. But Columbia records was pushing "My Heart Hurts" with great keyboards on the song. it was around the time Paul Carrack's album Suburban Voodoo came out with the NIck Lowe written song "I need you" was on the charts.

[@spinynorman8217]

I'm sorry Goodbye Cruel World was one of Elvis's best IMHO!

[@norrisnonkin5283]

Big Nick Lowe fan here. . .we agree that "Pinker. . ." is the weakest Nick album. For the rest, I would put them in a little different order. . . just saying that my Top Three are: 1. Party Of One, 2. Impossible Bird, 3. The Rose of England, but give him credit for being a consistent, talented, singer- songwriter (and producer) over a long period of time. Also a big Move/ELO fan and I must correct you re: "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day". Roy Wood put that out with Wizzard, AFTER The Move was no more. One more thing. . . . I also have to express appreciation and admiration for the groups of musicians Nick has associated himself with over the years. . . all fine, top-of-the-line players: Brinsley Schwarz (the whole band), Rockpile, Noise To Go/The Cowboy Outfit, The Impossible Birds and now Los Straightjackets. (I'm not familiar with Kippington Lodge. . .would like to hear what they sounded like).

[@mbodayle]

Thanks and sorry for the goof on Roy - I knew better.

[@matskarlsson]

I think "The Abominable Showman" is his weakest album. "Pinker And Prouder Than Previous" is one of my favourites.

[@HiltonBenchley]

P&P is one of my favourites, but The Abominable Showman is a definite contender for the top spot.

[@jacquismith3277]

WTF! You seem to love the sound of your own voice. I don't, sorry.

[@mbodayle]

Having a bad morning?

[@spinynorman8217]

Rude