Rockpile- The Park West, Chicago 1978

 

Tonight, for the first time I'm seeing Nick Lowe live! It's hard to believe he hasn't played Winnipeg, though he came close several years ago at the Winnipeg Folk Festival (which technically is outside of Winnipeg), but I prefer the confines of an indoor concert venue to properly see and hear a performer. I've spent the past week "concert cramming", meaning I've listened to everything Lowe has recorded in his long illustrious career that spanned from the late 60's when he joined, Kippington Lodge (which later became Brinsley Schwarz), through his Rockpile days, right up to his current solo albums, which include his collaboration with Los Straitjackets. I have pretty much all his releases up to 1988's. Pinker And Prouder Than Previous, so I was somewhat surprised how many more albums he released since 1990. Admittingly, they're all good and worth a listen, with a mature, older Lowe switching gears slightly, but still has the energy and spark to keep touring and making new music. The show I'm seeing will be Nick and his guitar solo, i would have preferred to see his with Los Straitjackets, but I should just be happy he's playing. He's joined by Canadian singer-songwriter, Ron Sexsmith, who I've seen a couple of times, so it should be a good solid concert, though I'm expecting a mellow, seated show, which I'm fine with. I have a prime seat, first row balcony which will not only be perfect sight-lines, but also it should produce a excellent sounding recording (fingers crossed security looks the other way!). If it all works out, I'll be posting a review/live recording of the show soon!

 

To get in the mood, I'm posting a vintage Rockpile live show from 1978. It's a great sounding broadcast and the lads are smoking hot! This would be circa, Jesus Of Cool (Pure Pop For Now People)/Tracks On Wax 4).

Enjoy!

 

 

Please do NOT sell or profit from this recording!

Do NOT convert to lossy formats, except for personal use.

Please share!

 

 

ROCKPILE

(billed as: Dave Edmunds Rockpile featuring Nick Lowe)
The Park West
Chicago IL.
November 12th, 1978
 

Late Show
WXRT Unconcert FM Broadcast
R.J.P. Reel to Reel Master
Transferred and Presented By Krw_co

LINEAGE WXRT CHICAGO FM BROADCAST>REEL TO REEL @ 3 & 3/4 IPS TEAC A-7300 REEL TO REEL>
W/MANUAL AZIMUTH ADJUSTMENT>CREATIVE SOUNDBLASTER X-FI HD MODEL #SB1240 WAV (24/96KHZ)
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TRADERS LITTLE HELPER FLAC LEVEL 8

SETLIST
1 Bobby Skafish WXRT intro
2 Down Down Down
3 So It Goes
4 I Knew The Bride
5 Deborah
6 Trouble Boys
7 I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass
8 You'll Never Get Me Up In One Of Those
9 Bye Bye Johnny
10 Love So Fine
11 Here Comes The Weekend
12 The Promised Land
13 I Hear You Knocking
14 They Call It Rock
15 JuJu Man
16 Heart Of The City
17 Let's Talk
18 WXRT outro

 

 THE BAND
Dave Edmunds guitar vocals piano organ
Nick Lowe bass vocals
Billy Bremner guitar vocals
Terry Williams drums

 

ROCKPILE- 1978-11-12 Park West, Chicago, IL FLAC. rar

So It Goes- Nick Lowe- 1975 Stiff Demos

 

Photo by Dick Wingate

 

A New York Daily News article from 2007 quoted Nick Lowe as saying his greatest fear in recent years was "sticking with what you did when you were famous." "I didn't want to become one of those thinning-haired, jowly old geezers who still does the same shtick they did when they were young, slim and beautiful," he said. "That's revolting and rather tragic." 

 

For many musicians and bands this is the formula they stick with to keep the old fans happy and let the new fans enjoy what they are famous for. Nick Lowe has had a long and interesting career. His first stab at success was with Brinsley Schwarz (the band) from the 1969 to the mid-70's. They produced a whopping six full length albums (not counting compilations) and when the band split Bob Andrews and Brinsley Schwarz (the guitar player) joined Graham Parker and the Rumour, while Ian Gomm and Lowe began solo careers. Around this time, Lowe joined up with Dave Edmonds, who produced New Favorites Of...Brinsley Schwarz, to form Rockpile with Billy Bremner and Terry Williams. This unit produced albums under Edmonds name (Tracks On Wax 4 and Repeat When Necessary) and Nick Lowe's second solo record, Labour Of Lust, along with Seconds Of Pleasure from 1980. For me, I first became aware of Nick Lowe through his biggest hit, Cruel To Be Kind which got radio play at the time and though I didn't realize it at the time, this song would later rank high in my favourite song list. I would go as far to say it's the perfect pop song (or power-pop?) and Labour Of Lust still gets lots of love on my turntable and iPod. Lowe remained steadily active through the 80's and I own all his albums up until 1988's, Pinker and Prouder. He also served double duty at times as a highly respected producer and was involved with some ground breaking releases from Graham Parker, The Damned and Elvis Costello. I honestly haven't followed Lowe through his releases in the 90's and 2000's when he moved away from power pop to a more balladeer, singer-songwriter mode.

In this decade, Nick Lowe has experienced a bit of revival of sorts. In 2011, Yep Roc re-released, Labour Of Lust and Wilco covered the song, I Love My Label which led to a joint tour, that exposed Lowe to a younger, hip audience. More recently, the mexican wrestling mask wearing surf-guitar band, Los Straitjackets became Lowe's backing band and toured together providing a very interesting dynamic both visually and musically. I've listened to some of those shows and they are fantastic, sparking with genuine energy that comes across in the music and performances. I've always been a reader of good music biographies and one that I am considering next is Cruel To Be Kind: The Life And Times Of Nick Lowe that came out about a year ago. I am curious about some the behind the scenes stories and his interaction within the bands he was in and the musicians he produced. Sounds like an interesting read. So, why hasn't Rockpile reunited? How about Brinsley Schwarz? Don't know if he touches on those subjects or if he wants to revisit that "same shtick when he was young..."

During the period between the breakup of Brinsley Schwarz and the formation of Rockpile, Nick Lowe recorded some demos for Stiff Records in 1975. Some of these songs were recorded later and appeared on later albums (Tonight on Jesus of Cool/PPFNP, Here She Comes- sounds like an early version of Deborah from Tracks On Wax 4) and Little Darlin' was recorded by Dave Edmonds. I'm sort of surprised, the demo for So It Goes isn't here. The song was Stiff Records' first single and Lowe was their first artist and he became the label's in-house producer. Though he was already a seasoned musician, recording artist and performer, these demos are a very important document from Lowe's early solo career.

Enjoy!

#14yearsoftrouble

Please do NOT sell or profit from this recording!

Do NOT convert to lossy formats (except for personal use)

Please share!

 

NICK LOWE

Stiff Demos (1975)

(Some solo, some band)

soundboard

01. Here She Comes Again
02. Tonight
03. Living In The 70's
04. Time And Time Again
05. She's My Baby
06. I Respect You for That
07. Little Darlin'
08. So Heavy (original version)

Bonus tracks
09. Halfway To Paradise (alternate version)
10. Is It You (live)
11. Lonely Just Like Me (live w/Imp. Birds)
12. Juju Man

 ***NEW link!!***

NICK LOWE- 1975 Stiff Demos FLAC. rar 

Rockpile- Best Of Soundboards

I had a request for more Rockpile shows and had a difficult time deciding what I should post next. Years ago, I downloaded a sweet compilation of soundboard recordings from different sources, mainly radio broadcasts, which are always great sources for live shows. This is a nice overview and sampling of the material they played live. Songs from Dave and Nick's solo albums, as well as covers and songs written by others (Graham Parker, Elvis Costello) all played with a fury and passion that hasn't been surpassed by Dave and Nick's later solo projects (in my opinion). Rockpile is an amazing live band and their playing is flawless, tight and furiously energetic. The only official studio Rockpile release, Seconds Of Pleasure seems to pale a little in comparison.

There are a couple repeat songs from the last Rockpile show I posted (My Father's Place '78), and the sound is excellent throughout. I have a couple more shows from 1978-1980, so stay tuned and I'll post another soon.
Enjoy!!

ROCKPILE
Best Of Soundboards
Various 1977-1980

1. Crawling From The Wreckage (Concert For Kampuchea 12-79)
2. Little Sister (Concert For Kampuchea 12-79)
3. Back To Schooldays (BBC 4-77)
4. I knew The Bride (BBC 4-77)
5. Mess Of Blues (BBC 4-77)
6. Here Comes The Weekend/So Fine (BBC 4-77)
7. Girls Talk (Palladium, NYC 1980)
8. Born Fighter (Palladium, NYC 1980)
9. Cruel To Be Kind (Palladium, NYC 1980)
10. Jailhouse Rock (Palladium, NYC 1980)
11. Let It Rock (Washington, DC 1977)
12. Fool Too Long (San Francisco 1978)
13. No More Mr. Nice Guy (Bottom Line, NYC 10-78)
14. It's My Own Business (Bottom Line, NYC 10-78)
15. Never Been In Love/So Fine (Bottom Line, NYC 10-78)
16. Deborah (My Father's Place 11-78)
17. Trouble Boys (My Father's Place 11-78)
18. You'll Never Get Me Up In One Of Those (My Father's Place 11-78)
19. Loud Music In Cars (Billy Bremner solo)
20. Three Time Loser (Concert For Kampuchea video only)

ROCKPILE- Best Of Soundboards FLAC. rar

Note: I had a bit of trouble ripping the CD to FLAC files and I had to use my secondary ripping software, but I tested it and listened to the whole disc and it seems fine. Let me know if there are any problems. Thanks!

Rockpile- My Fathers Place 1978

I noticed this boot is offered for sale at iOffer (for money)...DON'T BUY IT, download it here!

I had a request for more live Rockpile and I found this gem I downloaded years ago. I earlier posted the Live At Montreux recording from 1980 from a tour promoting the band's first album, Seconds Of Pleasure which was the only release officially under the Rockpile name. This live recording was from 1978 supporting the Tracks On Wax 4 record which was released as a Dave Edmunds solo record with the members of Rockpile playing on it (with Dave on lead vocals). Because this recording was a live FM broadcast, the sound quality is excellent and for maximum fidelity I have left it in FLAC format for your enjoyment. I know I have more Rockpile shows, so if there's interest I'll post more and I'll see if I can find a show from 1979 which features more tracks from Nick Lowe's, Labour Of Lust and Dave Edmunds, Repeat When Necessary which were recorded simultaneously by Rockpile.

Enjoy!

ROCKPILE
My Fathers Place,
Roslyn, N.Y., USA
November 4, 1978 (early show)
WLIR-FM Live Broadcast

1-Intro
2-Down Down Down
3-And So It Goes
4-I Knew The Bride
5-Deborah
6-Trouble Boys
7-Breaking Glass
8-Never Get Me Up In One Of Those
9-Let It Rock
10-So Fine
11-I Hear You Knocking'
12-They Call It Rock
13-Ju Ju Man
14-Heart Of The City
15-(crowd)
16-Let's Talk About Us

ROCKPILE- MFP, 78FM. rar FLAC

Rockpile- Live At Montreux 1980

Sorry for the lack of posts for the past week. I was out of town (in Edmonton) and before I left I actually stockpiled and uploaded some music that I had meant to post if I was bored in my hotel, but I was just too occupied (lots of hockey to watch on TV) and busy, you know how it is...

I noticed there has been a bit of a Nick Lowe renaissance recently with the release of a new album, The Old Magic, the re-release of the classic, Labour of Lust and a new release of an old recording from his band, Rockpile. Live At Montreux is latest product from Rockpile who previously released their only "official" studio album, Seconds Of Pleasure back in 1980. Actually, that was the only album released under the Rockpile name as the members of the band, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams have recorded as a band on solo albums from Lowe (Labour Of Lust) and Edmunds (Trax On Wax 4 and Repeat When Necessary) due to contractual obligations with Lowe and Edmunds on different record labels. In fact, R.W.N. and L.O.L. were recorded simultaneously in 1979 during the same recording session, and they were probably the best known albums from both artists. Live At Montreux is an opportunity to hear Rockpile at their peak drawing from both their solo albums, though Edmunds songs dominate the setlist with only 3 Lowe tracks, but the band sounds excellent and showcases their amazing musicianship. There are better sounding live recordings available from Rockpile around, but it's great a "semi-official" release is available to exposure more of their music to the masses.

Enjoy!!

ROCKPILE
Live At Montreux 1980 (2011)

1. Sweet Little Lisa
2. So It Goes
3. I Knew the Bride
4. Queen of Hearts
5. Switchboard Susan
6. Trouble Boys
7. Teacher Teacher
8. Girls Talk
9. 3 Time Loser
10. You Ain’t Nothin’ But Fine
11. Crawling from the Wreckage
12. Let It Rock
13. I Hear You Knocking
14. They Called It Rock
15. Ju Ju Man
16. Let’s Talk About Us

ROCKPILE- Live at Montreux 1980. rar