Still Time to Order and Enjoy Nick Lowe's Timeless Christmas Record
"A seasonal selection for all the family"
First released in 2013 on CD and limited edition 45rpm "bundle" (with multiple festive goodies), Quality Street has been reissued in 2023 on festive red vinyl and includes a bonus 45rpm single ("Let It Snow"/"Winter Wonderland") with Lowe backed by Los Straightjackets. This one's limited too, to 1000 copies, 300 copies of which include a Nick Lowe 526 piece jigsaw puzzle box set. Oops! the limited edition red vinyl with goodies is sold out on Bandcamp but the black vinyl is still available.
This is such a charming set of tunes with understated but deft and tasteful production to match. It's got a 50's vibe without shining a retro light on anything in particular but you'll hear the elements including background singers neatly tucked within its smooth flowing rocking folds.
It opens with a low key rockabilly version of "Children Go Where I Send Thee" complete with the 100% correct echo but subtly placed as is everything here. Track 5, "North Pole Express" is another rockabilly delight and in between is a Lowe original now classic "Christmas at the Airport", Roger Miller's charming "Old Toy Trains" and Ron Sexsmith's "Hooves on the Roof" written just for this release. "Dollar Short of Happy" on side two was co-written with Ry Cooder.
As the inner sleeve rightly proclaims, "All signs point toward a Happy Christmas for you!", especially if you pick up a copy of this record whatever edition you can find. If you play Christmas music this time of year this is sure to become an annual fave, if it isn't already.
