Impossible Bird

Personnel: Nick Lowe (vocals, guitar, bass); Bill Kirchen (guitar, trombone); Gary Grainger (guitar); Geraint Watkins (organ, guitar); Paul "Bassman" Riley (bass); Robert Trehern (drums); Paul Laventhol (shakers).
Recorded at The Turk's Head Function Room, The Bonaparte Rooms, St. Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, and The Old Cinema, Brentford, Middlesex.
After a near half-decade absence Nick Lowe returned with this album in 1994, which quite deservedly topped many critics polls for the year. With a consummate band on hand (who also hit the road with him, resulting in the EP LIVE! ON THE BATTLEFIELD), the subdued set is rich with musings on loss and longing as seen from the weary but wise perspective of a middle-aged man. Accompanied by just his acoustic guitar, "The Beast In Me" shows another facet of the character that ex-father-in-law Johnny Cash also brought to life on his AMERICAN RECORDINGS. "Shelley My Love" can turn even the hardest heart to tears. Ray Price's "I'll Be There" closes the set and is as fine a reason as any why Nick Lowe deserves an honorary American citizenship.