CRUEL TO BE KIND : THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF NICK LOWE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Will Birch | 416 pages | 15 Aug 2019 | Little, Brown Book Group | 9781472129178 | English | London, United Kingdom Cruel To Be Kind : The Life and Music of Nick Lowe PDF Book It was enlightening to read so much background detail he doesn't come across as a particularly nice guy, especially when a younger man and see the familial and musical elements that helped to shape him. This is a great read, I was disappointed when it ended. Top 40 Singles. The music business needs more artists like Nick Lowe — and the biography business could do with a few more writers like Will Birch. This biography captures the glories and the lows, the ambition and ambivalence. Retrieved 17 October Lowe's contribution to the modern canon of British pop music is massive and his influence vast. Friend Reviews. Return to Book Page. In addition to his production work, if you know Nick Lowe it's probably as a songwriter. Still underappreciated in his homeland, Lowe can tour around the world and sell out shows whether playing as he frequently does entirely solo, or with simpatico bands like Los Straitjackets, with whom he visited The Current in Other editions. The quartet span generations and musical sensibilities, but all four are musicians' musicians who've achieved widespread fame for novelties Zevon's "Werewolves of London," Folds's Dr. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. Nick Lowe. Bruised and battered, the band immersed themselves in the emerging pub rock scene and became one of the shining lights of that movement before Lowe quit the band to launch a solo career and the rest of the band went on to back Graham Parker as The Rumour. Be the first to write a review About this product. Through this relationship, Johnny Cash became aware of Nick's songwriting and encouraged him when observing him working. Aug 26, Andrea rated it really liked it. In recent years his songwriting has become more reflective and, often, more collaborative, with frequent trips to Nashville to work with some of the cream of established American writers; Lowe has always drawn heavily on American influences and this comes through much more in his recent work. The mellow Stigers was using a soul-flavored version of the song as a show-closer, and Arista Records president Clive Davis tapped it for The Bodyguard , the top-selling soundtrack of all time. Lowe first wrote the song in , for his then-group Brinsley Schwarz. Sep 23, Karen Schlosberg rated it really liked it. Retrieved 14 October I have interviewed Mr. Cruel To Be Kind : The Life and Music of Nick Lowe Writer Meryl Streep is the most celebrated Lowe's songwriting skills are such that even when he tried to get his record company to drop him by releasing a doofy song about the Bay City Rollers "Bay City Rollers We Love You," , it became a hit in Japan and left the label wanting more. This may be fine for a fanzine where no one is expecting prize-winning journalism but a book should be of a higher standard. Power pop [2]. Always thought he would have led and still be living an interesting life. It includes an Appendix of his Real family history, and an extensive Bibliography and Discography. Some anecdotes, like one that details a conflict about where to spend Christmas one year when Lowe was married to Carlene Carter, are out of place and don't advance the narrative. View all 5 comments. The man, Lowe remembers, "was hideously burned. Only one question is left unanswered: Where is Edward Molton? Lowe is also a welcome opener for just about anyone; a tour with Wilco was a particular success. A genuine pleasure to read. It tells of his early musical journey and how he met Brinsley Schwarz, how they formed the band of the same name and the disaster which was the band's infamous launch in New York. Birch is also a friend of Lowe's and he has written a wonderful sympathetic biography but he hasn't pulled the punches and points out Nick's frailties in both his musical and personal life. He shares Nick's past addiction problems with LSD, alcohol and cocaine until he began dating Tracey MacLeod who helped him regain his self respect and responsibility. It's been a bumper season for biographies and memoirs about rock and roll cult heroes: Warren Zevon , Ben Folds b. That could be, but maybe the answer is that Lowe is exactly famous enough, maybe just about as famous as he ever wanted to be. A perfect gentleman. Members save with free shipping everyday! Average rating 4. Archived from the original on 17 August But Will Birch, alas, is not a particularly good writer and comes across as too much of the fan to offer anything really insightful about the subject. This is not an authorized biography, but Lowe has given it his spiritual blessing and his management and label are fully on board. Community Reviews. Learned lots about the behind the scenes things than I did in the Elvis book. Cruel To Be Kind : The Life and Music of Nick Lowe Reviews I realized that I was the same way. Friend Reviews. He is one of my favorite interviews. Welcome back. Read an excerpt of this book! His marriage to Carlene Carter, and later to Peta Waddington. This is not an authorized biography, but Lowe has given it his spiritual blessing and his management and label are fully on board. A virtuoso pianist with a larger-than-life personality, he composed such influential early jazz pieces as Kansas Leave a comment.. Trivia About Cruel to Be Kind Well, Nick Lowe should have held out for a better writer because he deserves better than this book. Mr Birch had the cooperation of Mr Lowe, as well as numerous individuals associated with the artist, including former band mates, managers, agents, family and school age friends. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. About Will Birch. At the same time, neither does he treat his subject with excessive gravity. I think the Rose of England is one of the greatest songs ever written However it wasn't until the early nineties that I became a big fan of his music following the release of The Impossible Bird and his subsequent releases since then. Share this:. In addition to his production work, if you know Nick Lowe it's probably as a songwriter. Blame the ambiguity on that ol' British reticence. Only one question is left unanswered: Where is Edward Molton? This biography tells of Nick's early life with his parents, his father a career pil I don't really remember when I first became aware of Nick Lowe, possibly it was via The Rockpile or via his own 'hit' singles or possibly as a result of his production duties on various New Wave albums by the likes of Elvis Costello and Graham Parker. Birch is eloquent on the nature of Lowe's latter-day fame. Brand new: Lowest price The lowest-priced brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging where packaging is applicable. Feb 01, Mark Taylor rated it it was amazing. First, Will Birch isn't so much a writer but a compiler of long quotes and anecdotes. Jan 02, Leigh rated it liked it. His friendship at school led him to be in a the band Kippington Lodge with the guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. The writer seems in awe of his own subject and maybe too close to the man himself in a way that I sometimes felt almost embarrasing, especially towards the end of the book. Lowe formed bands in school, eventually creating Brinsley Schwarz with a school chum. I now have as much appreciation for Nick's second a One of the best biographies I've ever read, but with a few caveats. You find a lot of that kind of stuff with Nick Lowe. The track has been covered by many artists, notably including co-writer Ian Gomm, first on his own album Crazy for You , then again in for the various artists tribute album Lowe Profile: A Tribute to Nick Lowe. Will writes of Nick's beginnings in Kipperton Lodge, and especially focuses on his days with Brinsley Schwarz. Brinsley Schwarz was ragged, the scribes were drunk, and nobody made out well. Front and Center Entertainment. Lowe is also a welcome opener for just about anyone; a tour with Wilco was a particular success. Their loss. Fireball Media, via Imgur. Tell me, did you choose the wallpaper yourself? Sep 11, Jim Parker rated it liked it. Retrieved 13 March I been lucky to see tons of live Nick shows and will continue to see more. As it is, Will Birch is a musician first and a writer second. He also told a newspaper reporter "I sort of disapprove" of the biography project, even as he continued to meet Birch for interviews. Quality Street chocolates or Shetlands Sweets as some may know them have been popular Christmas…. It's been a bumper season for biographies and memoirs about rock and roll cult heroes: Warren Zevon , Ben Folds b. Cruel To Be Kind : The Life and Music of Nick Lowe Read Online Birch is eloquent on the nature of Lowe's latter-day fame. It is the persona of a man in late middle-age belatedly coming to terms with what the rest of us would call real life.