Rockpile: Heart Of The City (A Mix)
As written about previously, Rockpile was a mid/late-70s supergroup of sorts -- fronted by Nick Lowe, who had recently departed pub rockers Brinsley Schwarz and was starting his solo career, and Dave Edmunds, who had a few singles with Love Sculpture and was similarly striking out on his own. They were joined by guitarist Billy Bremner and drummer Terry Williams. Lowe and Edmunds shared vocal duties (either alone or harmonizing); Lowe contributed his blend of classic roots rock, power pop, and new wave styles, accentuated by his clever lyrics, while Edmunds was primarily an interpreter of others' work, with a more rockabilly/50s rock & roll style.
The Rockpile four-piece only recorded one album, 1980's terrific Seconds of Pleasure. But they also appeared on a number of Edmunds' solo albums (1978's Trax on Wax 4, 1979's Repeat When Necessary) and on Lowe's 1979 release Labour of Lust), all of which were largely Rockpile albums. The band also played a couple tracks on Lowe's fantastic debut Jesus of Cool, including "They Called It Rock" and a live version of "Heart of the City" (which also appeared on Edmunds' Trax on Wax, only with Edmunds' vocals dubbed in for Lowe's). Various configurations of the band also contributed to a few other Edmunds and Lowe solo releases.
[UPDATE: Spotify actually fixed Trax on Wax in response to my inquiry, so the playlist has been expanded.]
Here's Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind":
...and "Queen of Hearts":
...and a wonderful live medley of "So It Goes" and "Heart of the City":
Read an opinion a long time ago that Cruel to be Kind is the best pop song ever. I don't always agree, but every time I hear the song I remember that opinion.
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend another live version of So it Goes. It's on YouTube, some German tv program concert in late 70s, Hamburg I think. Much more rocking version. If they weren't so tight you'd think it was the Replacements.