Acoustic Sounds

Nick Lowe

Quality Street

Music

Sound

Label: Yep Roc

Produced By: Nick Lowe, Robert Treherne and Neil Brockbank

Engineered By: Neil Brockbank and Tucker Nelson

By: Michael Fremer

December 18th, 2023

Genre:

Other

Format:

Vinyl

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.

Music Specifications

Catalog No: YEP-2330

Pressing Plant: GZ Media (or subsidiary)

Speed/RPM: 33 1/3

Weight: 140 grams

Size: 12"

Channels: Stereo

Presentation: Single LP

Comments

  • 2023-12-19 08:44:04 AM

    tim davis wrote:

    Too cool! I was unaware of this title. I just ordered it on black vinyl. Thanks so much Mr. Fremer!!

  • 2023-12-19 04:58:24 PM

    Silk Dome Mid wrote:

    We got this LP when it was first released. It is truly enjoyable listening, tuneful, touching and funny. Also ordered the jigsaw puzzle last month but haven't put it together yet as it's a Christmas present. Long live Nick Lowe!

    • 2023-12-27 07:58:24 PM

      Silk Dome Mid wrote:

      We put the puzzle together yesterday. It's the LP cover photo but without any print. It took a couple of hours of intense concentration by two people, largely due to the big areas of blank light blue background. Now it's framed and hanging on the wall, looks great!

  • 2023-12-19 05:22:37 PM

    Lemon Curry wrote:

    It's a great album!

    Don't forget to track down Tis The Season by tourmates Los Straightjackets.

    Which of course will lead you to The Venture's Christmas Album... :-)

  • 2023-12-20 08:01:07 PM

    Mark Ward wrote:

    I am a HUGE Nick Lowe fan, and had no idea this album even existed. So thank you for letting us all know - just ordered my copy.

  • 2023-12-20 10:22:11 PM

    Silk Dome Mid wrote:

    Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets will be on the CBS Saturday Morning show 12/23/2023!

    • 2023-12-21 09:01:25 AM

      tim davis wrote:

      Thank you so much for this bit of news SDM! The one & only time I ever got to see Los Straitjackets live was backing El Vez on one of his Christmas themed shows & I've been wanting more ever since! I will definitely tune in for this.

  • 2023-12-24 02:49:58 PM

    Lemon Curry wrote:

    I encourage all the Nick Lowe fans out there who haven't been keeping track of his recent work with Los Straitjackets to tune in! The EPs he's been putting out like Tokyo Bay and Lay It On Me are some of the best work he's EVER done. This weird, wonderful pairing of musical units has led to something quite special and unique. Explore, you'll be thrilled you did.

    • 2023-12-24 03:26:55 PM

      Silk Dome Mid wrote:

      Their live show is amazing. We've been fortunate to see them twice.

  • 2023-12-27 08:05:32 PM

    Silk Dome Mid wrote:

    There's also a live album containing some of the "Quality Street" songs along with other Nick tunes. The DIscogs prices for the LP are high, but it's also available as a CD for $15 from Port Merchandise. https://www.discogs.com/master/1101551-Nick-Lowe-Los-Straitjackets-The-Quality-Holiday-Revue-Live and https://stores.portmerch.com/nicklowe/featured-products/nickloweandlosstraitjacketsthequalityholidayrevuelivelp.html