Nick Lowe: What should I expect?

So I'll be seeing Nick Lowe live in a small club setting on Wednesday, and I'm naturally fairly excited. I've never seen him live before, though I've heard he's usually brilliant. But I've heard he's been mucking about with the arrangements lately, in a somewhat Dylanesque manner. Have anybody seen him on this tour? And in that case, how was the show? Is he as hit or miss as Dylan has been reported to be lately?

 

Saw him in Melbourne, Australia a year or so ago (?- in support of The Old Magic, in any case) and he was really great. Wry sense of humour, reassuring pure croon and understated empathetic band all present and correct.

 

Saw him here a few months ago. Very entertaining show,

 

if you're curious about what he's playing these days, look here.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/nick-...eeuwenbergh-utrecht-netherlands-5bc2dfe8.html

if you want to be surprised, i'd say don't check it out. of course that's only the setlist. no idea about how he's doing the songs.

 

He always puts on a fun show acoustically. When he has the band, it's something special.
The only arrangements I know he changes dramatically are What's So Funny Bout PL&U and a cover of Alison.
Some of the songs might be slightly slower than on the cds with the band like Stoplight Roses, but nothing Dylanesque that I can remember

 

Nick is terrific live - whether with a band or solo. Have a great time.

 

You should ask him to do "Bay City Rollers We Love You" or "Rollers Show".

 

Expect a great show because that's exactly what you're going to get.

He "mucks" with the arrangements a bit because these days it's just him and an acoustic guitar on stage, so he's got to make certain adjustments to allow for the songs to shine in that configuration. Don't expect "Basher", this is a much more refined Mr. Lowe.

 

Expect an evening of this ...

 

Yep I caught him on that tour here in Austin.

 

I saw that show, it was a good one. Arrangements were pretty much what you'd expect from solo acoustic guitar performances, except for a very slow "Peace Love & Understanding". Expect the songs rapidly following each other with a small talk in between every 5 songs or so.

 

The man has aged gracefully and does a good mix of newer stuff and fan favorites. I've never seen a live version of "Raining Raining" that has been anything but heartbreaking. He can still sell a song.

 

Any album suggestions to begin with? Never got round to Nick. Huge early Costello fan.

 

Start with 'Jesus Of Cool' and work forward.

 

Nick Lowe - Quiet Please: The New Best of Nick Lowe - Amazon.com Music »

 

Jesus Of Cool/ Pure Pop For Now People

Labour Of Lust

Seconds Of Pleasure

The Wilderness Years

The Doings (boxset)

 

Started with Jesus of Cool. VERY good.

So many accomplished pop gems. One after the other.

Marie Provost is super song for starters.

 

Onto Labour of Lust.

Another pop masterpiece.

Standouts include:

Switch Board Susan
Dose of You
Cruel to be Kind.