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Continued from page 16“ It’ s Only Rock‘ n’ Roll( But I like It),” trading space with Richards’ rollicking riffs. Jagger coaxes the crowd into further action for the then-recent single“ Saint of Me” from 1997’ s Bridges to Babylon. The singer duets with guest Sheryl Crow( dubbed“ Sheryl the Peril” by Jagger) while Watts anchors the hip-swaying beat to“ Honky Tonk Women.” The show winds up with a string of surefire crowdpleasers as“ Tumbling Dice” and saxophonist Bobby Keys’ showcase“ Brown Sugar” conclude the main set. Both songs make ample use of background singers Bernard Fowler, Blondie Champlin, and Lisa Fischer. The Rolling Stones return for an encore and rip through a snarling version of“ Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” While Jagger works the crowd one last time, Richards leans into the familiar guitar riffs and makes them sound dangerous.
This digipak set includes the Welcome to Shepherd’ s Bush concert film on Blu-ray and includes an audio version of the full 18- song performance across two CDs. Also available are a version featuring a 4K UHD video, an Atmos sound mix, and standalone CD and vinyl LP options.
- Jeff Elbel
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Nice to Me,” in which Lowe can’ t bear for an ex to treat him like a friend.“ Yes, I need a ride to the station,” he admits.“ But I’ d rather walk in the rain.” When the clouds finally part in an interpretation of Sammy Turner’ s“ Raincoat in the River” or spirits lift for the merry mood of Lowe’ s own“ Lay it On Me Baby,” bassist Pete Curry and drummer Chris Sprague propel the reprieves with a breezy groove and bright snap. Los Straitjackets’ well-honed interplay is understated but always colorful, with tremulous spy-guitar leads from Angel on songs including the witty“ Went to a Party.” The approach suits Lowe’ s musical sensibilities, which were defined by the pre-Beatles decade of rock and roll. Chet Atkins and Buddy Holly inform the sound along with the Ventures, Safaris, the Animals, and more. The focus rests on Lowe’ s unerring ear for melody and wry turns of phrase. A“ very bad case” of“ Love Starvation” finds Lowe“ hugging my pillow all alone in a rickety bed.” Soul music trailblazer Garnet Mimms’ picturesque 1963 single with the Enchanters“ A |
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APRIL 12, 2025 |
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NICK LOWE Indoor Safari( Yep Roc)
Indoor Safari could be classified as just another display of well-practiced pop songcraft from the Basher, but a seen-itbefore assessment of this pure pop, for now people would only make your faithful correspondent seem jaded. If such a collection of heartbroken crooners had arrived from a new artist, critics would fall over themselves to praise the work. So, that’ s what’ s happening here. No classic pop fan will have a better time wallowing in lovelorn misery than they will when listening to Lowe’ s“ Different Kind of Blue” or“ Trombone.” Masquerade“ Crying Inside” is a thematic cousin to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles chestnut“ The Tears of a Clown.”“ I can’ t sleep for all the promises that you won’ t keep,” sings Lowe during the shimmering psych-pop of“ Blue on Blue,” dripping with unrequited longing. Having toured together for many years( and having performed some of these dozen songs, including“ Tokyo Bay” at local venues including Lincoln Hall and the Old Town School of Folk Music), Lowe and his luchador-masked pals Los Straitjackets are perfectly sympatico on Indoor Safari. Guitarists Eddie Angel and Greg Townson add retro-modern tone and surf-pop twang to“ Don’ t Be
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Quiet Place” slots neatly alongside Lowe’ s vignettes. Accompanied by Angel’ s tremolo guitar and Townson’ s R & B rhythm, Lowe laments that he lacks the means to move from a noisy street. The cat outside the window won’ t stop meowing, the neighbor lady won’ t stop hollering after her wayward man, and Lowe updates an embedded pop culture reference singing,“ there’ s a drunk that wakes me in the middle of the night singing‘ Sweet Caroline.’” Indoor Safari is Lowe’ s first full-length album in more than a decade. The irrepressible septuagenarian’ s voice may be a bit more weathered than what we heard on Quality Street or The Old Magic, but he hasn’ t lost a step. Play Indoor Safari while drowning your sorrows and cheer up.
– Jeff Elbel
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