Now four years after Nick Lowe put out his elder statesman summation At My Age, the clever wordsmith once known as "The Basher" (remember that?) is readying a new album The Old Magic for September release on Yep Roc. Lowe's regular crew of Geraint Watkins, Steve Donnelly, and Robert Treherne (aka Bobby Irwin) will be joined by guests Ron Sexsmith, Paul Carrack and Jimmie Vaughan.
Although the title might suggest a return to rollicking form for the respected tunesmith – who actually just turned 62 in March – Rockpile fans will be disappointed to learn that Lowe is determined to continue crooning his downtempo ballads in hushed tones as he creeps toward retirement. Having written and recorded an impressive catalog of music over the past four decades, Lowe has clearly earned the right to ease into his twilight years as "The pub rock Perry Como" if he so desires. I've got no problem if he chooses to leave "socks unrocked off" but all comfy cardigans and pastel sweater vests aside, it's terribly disappointing to see such an influential composer reduced to simple pastiche and knocking out cheap re-writes of other peoples' songs.
You don't need to do any sort of Sherlock Holmes sleuthing to pinpoint the conceptual origin of Lowe's tune Rome Wasn't Built In A Day off At My Age. Hint: there's a clue in the title. Likewise, it shouldn't take more than a couple of lines from House For Sale (see video clip below starting at 9:02) from his forthcoming The Old Magic to note some intriguing similarities to the George Jones classic The Grand Tour with some bits sounding strangely reminiscent of A Good Year for the Roses as well. Just a coincidence? Hmm...
It makes you wonder whether creativity has a "best before" date. Perhaps even the most accomplished songwriters have only so many original ideas in them and they eventually run dry. Last time I checked, Bob Dylan hasn't lately come up with anything nearly as good as Masters Of War, Subterranean Homesick Blues or The Times They Are A-Changin'. Conversely, maybe the real craft of composition is all about smoke and mirrors and after a certain age, it no longer matters how carefully the source material is concealed.
NPR's Tiny Desk Concert: Nick Lowe
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