One of the U.K.’s greatest pub rockers now has not one, but two Christmas albums to his name.
Nick Lowe is best known for his hits “Cruel to be Kind,” and “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love,
and Understanding?” And he has turned his keen ear for pop music to the holidays. His latest live album, “The Quality Holiday Revue” expands on 2013’s studio album “Quality Street.” On both records, he’s put his own spin on some holiday standards as well as penning a pair of original tunes: “Born in Bethlehem” and “Christmas at the Airport.”
Myke Johns spoke with Lowe about getting over the unique musical stigma of recording a Christmas album and of turning, for instance “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” into a fired-up rockabilly tune.
“I’m a great believer in, if a song’s any good, then it really can be treated in almost any way,” Lowe says. “A good song will take the most unbelievable punishment and still be recognizable and people will still get a kick out of it.”
