Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family

Last updated

Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family
Quality Street A Seasonal Selection for All the Family.jpg
Studio album by
Released29 October 2013 (2013-10-29)
StudioGravity Shack Studios, Tooting Bec, London
Genre Holiday, Christmas Music, Rock, Americana
Label Yep Roc
Producer Nick Lowe, Robert Treherne, Neil Brockbank
Nick Lowe chronology
The Old Magic
(2011)
Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family
(2013)
The Quality Holiday Revue (Live)
(2015)

Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family is a studio album by the British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. The album was released on 29 October 2013 by Yep Roc Records. The album was featured at number 17 on Rolling Stone's "40 Essential Christmas Albums" list on 30 November 2019. [1]

Contents

Background and recording

Quality Street was released following Lowe's 2011 studio album, The Old Magic.

Nick Lowe was approached by his label, Yep Roc Records, to make a Christmas themed album. Lowe's initial reaction was negative, but he later agreed to take on the project, as he said in an interview with The Current radio station on December 20, 2013. [2]

The album was recorded at Gravity Shack Studios in Tooting Bec, London. This studio has since been renamed as Silver Shark Studios. While recording in the studios Lowe said, "We tried to make it a sleigh-bell free atmosphere." [3]

Quality Street features three Nick Lowe originals: "Christmas at the Airport", "I Was Born in Bethlehem", and "A Dollar Short of Happy". Lowe also covers Roger Miller's "Old Toy Trains" and Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday". [4] "Hooves on the Roof" was composed by Ron Sexsmith expressly for this album.

As a promotional event by Yep Roc, Quality Street was streamed in its entirety for 24 hours on YouTube on 25 July 2013.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]

In a review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said, "Easing into his second decade as a dapper crooner, it's little wonder that Nick Lowe has succumbed to the siren call that seduces every gentleman vocalist: he's gone and made a Christmas album." [7]

The Washington Post covered the album in an article posted on 29 November 2013. Chris Klimek began the article with, "In the A.D. era of Christmas albums — that would be After Dylan — nobody who releases one can seem too dark a horse. Still, Nick Lowe, who called his first solo album “Jesus of Cool” (it was retitled in these more sensitive United States), isn't the likeliest candidate". [8]

On December 8, 2013 Lowe performed "Christmas at the Airport" during an interview for NPR. [9]

Quality Street was given 4 out of 5 stars by the London-based publication, Uncut , on 17 December 2013. Luke Torn began his review with, "Ol’ Saint Nick, playful pop alchemy, and the retro-reinvention of the Christmas album..." [10]

Quality Street was named Album of the Week by The Independent on 21 December 2013. Andy Gill began the article with, "With Quality Street, Nick Lowe manages the virtually impossible, delivering a Christmas album that's both inventive and irony-free, and seasonally warm without pushing any of the usual commercial buttons". [11]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Children Go Where I Send Thee"Traditional; arranged by Nick Lowe2:41
2."Christmas Can't Be Far Away" Boudleaux Bryant 3:30
3."Christmas at the Airport"Nick Lowe3:49
4."Old Toy Trains" Roger Miller 3:00
5."The North Pole Express"Traditional; arranged by Nick Lowe2:45
6."Hooves on the Roof" Ron Sexsmith 3:33
7."I Was Born in Bethlehem"Nick Lowe3:23
8."Just to Be with You (This Christmas)" Ross Bon 3:31
9."Rise Up Shepherd"Traditional; arranged by Nick Lowe2:57
10."Silent Night" Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr; arranged by Nick Lowe2:40
11."A Dollar Short of Happy" Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder 2:45
12."I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" Roy Wood 4:21
Total length:38:55

Personnel

Technical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Lowe</span> British singer, songwriter and producer (born 1949)

Nicholas Drain Lowe is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in pub rock, power pop and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with being a vocalist, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Sexsmith</span> Canadian musician (born 1964)

Ronald Eldon Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario. He was the songwriter of the year at the 2005 Juno Awards. He began releasing recordings of his own material in 1985 at age 21, and has since recorded seventeen albums. He was the subject of a 2010 documentary called Love Shines.

<i>The Convincer</i> 2001 studio album by Nick Lowe

The Convincer is a 2001 studio album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe and Neil Brockbank, it was released in Europe by Proper Records and by Yep Roc Records in the United States.

<i>ReJoyce: The Christmas Album</i> 2004 Christmas album by singer Jessica Simpson

ReJoyce: The Christmas Album is the fourth studio album and first Christmas album by American pop singer Jessica Simpson. It was released by Columbia Records on November 23, 2004. The album features cover versions of popular Christmas songs and includes a duet with her sister, Ashlee Simpson, on the song "Little Drummer Boy". Additionally, it also includes a duet with Nick Lachey, Simpson's husband at the time, on "Baby, It's Cold Outside". The cover of Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven " was notable, as Simpson has said that Amy Grant is one of her favorite recording artists and her role model. "O Holy Night" had an accompanying music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Minus 5</span> American pop rock band

The Minus 5 is an American pop rock band headed by musician Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows, often in partnership with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Easter</span> Musical artist

Mitchell Blake Easter is a musician, songwriter, and record producer. Frequently associated with the jangle pop style of guitar music, he is known as producer of R.E.M.'s early albums from 1981 through 1984, and as frontman of the 1980s band Let's Active.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Straitjackets</span> American instrumental rock band

Los Straitjackets is an American instrumental rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, in 1988. Originally comprising guitarists Danny Amis, Eddie Angel and drummer L. J. "Jimmy" Lester under the name The Straitjackets, the band split up soon after forming, but reunited as Los Straitjackets in 1994 with the addition of bassist E. Scott Esbeck. Esbeck left the band in 1998 and was replaced by Pete Curry. The current lineup also features Greg Townson on guitar and Chris Sprague on drums.

Christopher Charles Stamey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. After a brief time playing with Alex Chilton, as well as Mitch Easter under the name Sneakers, Stamey formed The dB's with Peter Holsapple.

<i>Labour of Lust</i> 1979 studio album by Nick Lowe

Labour of Lust is an album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in 1979 by Radar Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US. It was recorded and released at the same time as Dave Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary and features the same Rockpile personnel. It led off with "Cruel to Be Kind," Lowe's only major US hit.

<i>Jesus of Cool</i> 1978 studio album by Nick Lowe

Jesus of Cool is the solo debut album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in March 1978 by Radar Records in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yep Roc Records</span> American independent record label

Yep Roc Records is an American independent record label based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and owned by Redeye Distribution. Since 1997, the label has released albums from North Carolina and international artists, including Fountains of Wayne, Nick Lowe, Paul Weller, Mandolin Orange, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jim Lauderdale, Dave Alvin, Tift Merritt, Chuck Prophet, Robyn Hitchcock, Alejandro Escovedo, Aoife O'Donovan, Chatham County Line, Los Straitjackets, Amy Helm, Gang of Four, The Apples in Stereo, and Ian McLagan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marah (band)</span> American rock band

Marah is an American rock and roll band that formed in the early 1990s and is closely associated with the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York. The band is known for its intense live performances, classic rock production style, and association with authors Nick Hornby and Sarah Vowell and musicians Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geraint Watkins</span> Musical artist

Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins is a Welsh singer, songwriter, rock and roll pianist and accordionist. He has backed many notable artists, including Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John, Shakin' Stevens and most recently Status Quo. He has also pursued a solo career and issued a number of albums under his own name, the most recent of which, Rush of Blood, was released in September 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tres Chicas</span> Musical artist

Tres Chicas are an alternative country group from Raleigh, North Carolina.

<i>Pinker and Prouder Than Previous</i> 1988 studio album by Nick Lowe

Pinker and Prouder Than Previous is a 1988 album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. It was released by Demon Records in the UK and Europe, and was his final album for Columbia Records in the US.

<i>The Abominable Showman</i> 1983 studio album by Nick Lowe

The Abominable Showman is the fourth solo album by the English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, released in 1983. Lowe supported the album by touring with Paul Carrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin de Lone</span> Musical artist

Austin de Lone is an American keyboardist who records and tours with his own bands as well as with other artists, such as Bill Kirchen, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Nick Lowe, Commander Cody, and Loudon Wainwright.

Don Heffington was an American drummer, percussionist, and songwriter. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles alternative country band Lone Justice, which he performed with from 1982 to 1985. Heffington was also a member of the bluegrass band Watkins Family Hour, recorded three solo albums, and was a session and touring musician for various artists, including Lowell George, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Victoria Williams, the Wallflowers, the Jayhawks, and Joanna Newsom.

<i>Love Starvation / Trombone</i> 2019 EP by Nick Lowe

Love Starvation / Trombone is an EP from British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. It is Lowe's second EP to feature the American surf rock band, Los Straitjackets, as his backing band. The EP was released on May 17, 2019 through Yep Roc Records. It reached #7 on Billboard's Americana/Folk Albums chart, #28 on the Independent Albums chart, and #31 on the Current Rock Albums chart.

<i>Lay It on Me</i> (EP) 2020 EP by Nick Lowe

Lay It On Me is an EP by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. It is the third consecutive Nick Lowe EP to feature label-mates, Los Straitjackets, as his backing band. The EP was released through Yep Roc Records on June 5, 2020. Lay It On Me reached number 37 on Billboard's Americana/Folk Albums chart.

References

  1. Edwards, Gavin (30 November 2019). "40 Essential Christmas Albums". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  2. Seel, Steve. "Interview: Nick Lowe". Thecurrent.org. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  3. "YEP ROC TO RELEASE 'QUALITY STREET' - A NEW NICK LOWE ALBUM, HOLIDAY-THEMED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE -". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Nick Lowe – Quality Street (2013, 180 g, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  5. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Nick Lowe Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family". AllMusic . Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  6. Torn, Luke. "Nick Lowe – Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family". Uncut . Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  7. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family - Nick Lowe | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" . Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  8. Klimek, Chris (29 November 2013). "Nick Lowe gets into the holiday spirit with his first collection of Christmas tunes". The Washington Post . Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  9. "Why Would Nick Lowe Make A Christmas Album? Ask Nick Lowe". NPR.org. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  10. "Nick Lowe - Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family". UNCUT. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. Gill, Andy (21 December 2013). "Album of the week: Nick Lowe, 'Quality Street' (Proper)". Independent . Retrieved 9 April 2013.