1983 studio album by Nick Lowe
| The Abominable Showman | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Nick Lowe | ||||
| Released | March 1983 | |||
| Recorded | Rockfield, Wales; Ampro, London | |||
| Genre | Garage rock, pop, rock and roll | |||
| Length | 35:07 | |||
| Label | F-Beat (UK), Columbia (US) | |||
| Producer | Roger Bechirian, Nick Lowe | |||
| Nick Lowe chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Abominable Showman is the fourth solo album by the English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, released in 1983. Lowe supported the album by touring with Paul Carrack.
The album was out of print for two decades until being reissued on CD and vinyl by Yep Roc Records on 14 July 2017. The reissue contained three bonus tracks.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Robert Christgau | B+ |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 4/10 |
The New York Times noted the "light but appealing funk, reggae and 1960's soul in addition to the expected garage-pop-and-roll."
Track listing
All tracks are written by Nick Lowe, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We Want Action" | Lowe, Carlene Carter | 2:35 |
| 2. | "Ragin' Eyes" | 2:38 | |
| 3. | "Cool Reaction" | Pete Marsh, Andy Howell | 2:35 |
| 4. | "Time Wounds All Heels" | Lowe, Carter, Simon Climie | 2:42 |
| 5. | "Man of a Fool" | 2:44 | |
| 6. | "Tanque-Rae" | 2:48 | |
| 7. | "Wish You Were Here" | 3:14 | |
| 8. | "Chicken and Feathers" | 2:44 | |
| 9. | "Paid The Price" | Moon Martin | 3:24 |
| 10. | "Mess Around With Love" | 3:05 | |
| 11. | "Saint Beneath The Paint" | 2:48 | |
| 12. | "How Do You Talk to an Angel" | 3:50 | |
| Total length: | 35:07 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Pet You and Hold You" (live) | 3:22 |
| 14. | "Crackin' Up" (live) | 3:13 |
| 15. | "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?" (live) | 3:37 |
Note: The packaging of the YepRoc reissue omits mention of "Pet You and Hold You" as a bonus track.
Personnel
- Nick Lowe – bass, guitar, lead vocals
- James Eller – bass
- Bobby Irwin – drums, backing vocals
- Paul Carrack – keyboards, backing vocals, duet vocals on "Wish You Were Here"
- Martin Belmont – guitar
Other credits
- Robert Kirby – string arrangements
- Carlene Carter and Simon Climie – harmonies and harmonics on "Time Wounds All Heels"
- Pete Marsh – backing vocals on "Paid The Price" and "Tanque-Rae"
- George Rains – The Abominable Showman
- Keith Morris – photography
Production
The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios, Wales and Ampro Studio, London.
- Producer – Roger Bechirian with Nick Lowe
- Engineers – Roger Bechirian, Paul Cobbold and Paul Bass
Singles
Three songs off this album were released as singles:
- "Raging Eyes" / "Tanque-Rae" ("Raging Eyes" was recorded in October 1981)
- "Cool Reaction" (Promo only)
- "Wish You Were Here" / "How Do You Talk To An Angel"
Notes
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 436.
- Tucker, Ken (1 April 1983). "Opening for Petty tonight will be Nick Lowe...". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E22.
- Takiff, Jonathan (1 April 1983). "Nick Lowe". Features. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 55.
- "YEP ROC RECORDS TO REISSUE SIX LONG OUT-OF-PRINT NICK LOWE TITLES, MAKING HIS ENTIRE ALBUM CATALOG AVAILABLE ON ONE LABEL – Yep Roc Records". Yep Roc Records. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- The Abominable Showman Nick Lowe Allmusic.com, Stephen Thomas Erlewine
- "CG: Nick Lowe". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
- Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 232.
- Palmer, Robert (23 March 1983). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C22.
External links
- The Abominable Showman at Discogs (list of releases)
| Nick Lowe | |
|---|---|
| |
| Studio albums | |
| EPs | |
| Live albums | |
| Songs | |
| Compilations | |
| Related articles | |