Cruel To Be Kind
The Life and Music of Nick Lowe
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3.0 • 1 Rating
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
'Brilliant biography of an undersung late-blooming treasure . . . subtly profound as well as wickedly entertaining, this biography does its subject scintillating justice' Mojo
Cruel to Be Kind is the definitive account of Nick Lowe's uncompromising life as a songwriter and entertainer, from his days at Stiff Records, to becoming the driving force behind Rockpile, to the 1979 smash hit 'Cruel To Be Kind'.
Nick's original compositions have been recorded by the best in the business, from enfant terrible of the New-Wave, Elvis Costello, to 'The Godfather of Rhythm and Soul', Solomon Burke; from household names, including Engelbert Humperdink, Diana Ross, and Johnny Cash, to legendary vocalists such as Curtis Stigers, Tom Petty, and Rod Stewart.
His reputation as one of the most influential musicians to emerge from that most formative period for pop and rock music is cast in stone. He will forever be the man they call the 'Jesus of Cool'.
'Nick's poise as a singer, his maturity, and his use of tone is beautiful. I can't believe it's this guy I've been watching since I was a teenager' Elvis Costello, 2013
'The master of subversive pop' Nick Kent, NME, 1977
'Nick Lowe is such a f*cking good songwriter! Am I allowed to say that?' Curtis Stigers, 2016
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Musician and music writer Birch debuts with an admiring set of fan's notes, drawing on interviews with his friend, singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, as well as on interviews with Lowe's acquaintances and bandmates. Weaving Lowe's music with the threads of his life, Birch traces Lowe's story from his childhood in 1950s Surrey, England, where he listened to country, jazz, Elvis, and Lonnie Donegan. From there he takes readers to Lowe's gig with the band Brinsley Schwarz and their opening for Van Morrison at the Fillmore East in N.Y.C. in 1970; his marriage to country singer Carlene Carter in 1979, and his musical partnerships with Elvis Costello, Dave Edmunds, and Graham Parker. Lowe's biggest hit "Cruel to Be Kind" came in 1979, and he continued to develop into a songwriter's songwriter, whose songs have been recorded by Costello, Solomon Burke, Tom Petty, Diana Ross, and Rod Stewart. In leisurely, insightful prose, Birch ponders why Lowe is not better-known, and concludes that Lowe is simply not interested in any activity that involves self-promotion or "prostituting himself on chat shows and social media." With a no-frills writing style, Birch offers a solid biography for Lowe's devoted fans.
