The Abominable Showman

The Abominable Showman
Studio album by Nick Lowe
Released	March 1983
Studio	Rockfield Studios (Wales, UK) Ampro Studios (London, UK)
Genre	Garage rock, pop, rock and roll
Length	35:07
Label	F-Beat (UK), Columbia (US)
Producer	Roger Bechirian Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe chronology
Nick the Knife (1982) The Abominable Showman (1983) Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit (1984)

The Abominable Showman is the fourth solo album by the English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, released in 1983. ^{[1] [2]} Lowe supported the album by touring with Paul Carrack. ^[3]

The album was out of print for two decades until being reissued on CD and vinyl by Yep Roc Records on 14 July 2017. The reissue contained three bonus tracks. ^[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Robert Christgau	B+ [6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[1]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	4/10 [7]

The New York Times noted the "light but appealing funk, reggae and 1960's soul in addition to the expected garage-pop-and-roll." ^[8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Nick Lowe, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"We Want Action"	Lowe, Carlene Carter	2:35
2.	"Ragin' Eyes"		2:38
3.	"Cool Reaction"	Pete Marsh, Andy Howell	2:35
4.	"Time Wounds All Heels"	Lowe, Carter, Simon Climie	2:42
5.	"Man of a Fool"		2:44
6.	"Tanque-Rae"		2:48
7.	"Wish You Were Here"		3:14
8.	"Chicken and Feathers"		2:44
9.	"Paid The Price"	Moon Martin	3:24
10.	"Mess Around With Love"		3:05
11.	"Saint Beneath The Paint"		2:48
12.	"How Do You Talk to an Angel"		3:50
Total length:			35:07

2017 Reissue Bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
13.	"Pet You and Hold You" (live)	3:22
14.	"Crackin' Up" (live)	3:13
15.	"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?" (live)	3:37

Note: The packaging of the YepRoc reissue omits mention of "Pet You and Hold You" as a bonus track.

Personnel

• Nick Lowe – vocals, guitars, bass
• Paul Carrack – keyboards, backing vocals, vocals (7)
• Martin Belmont – guitars
• James Eller – bass
• Bobby Irwin – drums, backing vocals
• Robert Kirby – string arrangements
• Carlene Carter – harmonies and harmonics (4)
• Simon Climie – harmonies and harmonics (4)
• Pete Marsh – backing vocals (6, 9)

Production

• Roger Bechirian – producer
• Nick Lowe – producer
• Paul Bass – engineer
• Paul Cobbold – engineer
• Keith Morris – photography

Singles

Three songs were released as singles:

• "Raging Eyes" / "Tanque-Rae" ("Raging Eyes" was recorded in October 1981)
• "Cool Reaction" (Promo only)
• "Wish You Were Here" / "How Do You Talk to an Angel"

Notes

1. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 436.
2. Tucker, Ken (1 April 1983). "Opening for Petty tonight will be Nick Lowe...". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E22.
3. Takiff, Jonathan (1 April 1983). "Nick Lowe". Features. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 55.
4. "YEP ROC RECORDS TO REISSUE SIX LONG OUT-OF-PRINT NICK LOWE TITLES, MAKING HIS ENTIRE ALBUM CATALOG AVAILABLE ON ONE LABEL – Yep Roc Records". Yep Roc Records. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
5. The Abominable Showman Nick Lowe Allmusic.com, Stephen Thomas Erlewine
6. "CG: Nick Lowe". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
7. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 232.
8. Palmer, Robert (23 March 1983). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C22.

External links

• The Abominable Showman at Discogs (list of releases)