Nick Lowe took advantage of an off night while touring with Elvis Costello (“Elvis has a more leisurely work ethic”, he quipped) to play a small club in Queens, New York City. Backed by the mysterious Los Straightjackets, Lowe reminded why he is a revered pop songwriter. The set list included lots of Lowe classics, including one of my all-time faves – the perfect pop confection “Cruel to Be Kind”.
Here’s Lowe and Los Straightjackets in 2019 performing the aforementioned song, along with Lowe’s “Half a Boy and Half a Man” and “I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock and Roll)”. As a bonus, I’ve also included a solo acoustic Lowe performance of “Cruel to Be Kind”.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.