Nicks n' Nicks

Had the pleasure of attending a photo shoot and concert with the gracious Nick Lowe last week.

We traveled (gasp!) across the GW Bridge to Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ, a train depot turned gorgeous recording studio. Nick, always funny and quite a gentleman, did three setups as part of a major photo shoot, including the above set up in a park nearby. When asked to sing for the camera, Nick went through incredible versions acoustic versions of several of his songs as well as classics like Arthur Alexander's "You Better Move On." At one point, the photographer, trying to get Lowe's attention, said, "Nick?!" We both said, "yes," and at the exact same time.

After an audience arrived for a taping of WFUV's City Folk Live, Darren DeVivo introduced Lowe. He really blew me away with the incredible control over his vocal intonation and his precise lyrics. With a set heavy on songs from 2001's 'The Convincer' and the new 'At My Age,' both on Yep Roc. Perhaps my favorite song was "Lately I've Let Things Slide." The crowd erupted when it heard the opening lyrics to "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love And Understanding?" Nick remarked that he'd recently heard the Holmes Brothers version of his classic song and had enjoyed it. Dae Bennett and the staff at the Studios made everything sound incredible.

In attendance were Lowe's manager Jake Guralnick, Yep Roc staffer Glenn Dicker, Ken Tucker, Ashley Kahn (who graciously presented Nick with one of his books), Frank Digiacomo, Shore Fire's Matt Hanks (who looked to be in total bliss once Nick started playing) and WFUV's Tara Anderson, among others.