Once Nick Lowe rocked, scoring on the 1970s punk scene with “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding,” later a hit for Elvis Costello. Lowe also produced albums for The Pretenders and Costello, and nearly made the Top-10 with his single “Cruel to Be Kind.”
Lowe performs Tuesday in Bothell with music from his latest CD, “At My Age.” He still rocks, just at a lower decibel and with more heart than anger while retaining his intensity.
After he burned out, Lowe transformed himself from a fading star to a still-in-touch musician with a series of solo albums in the 1990s that mixed country, pop and rock. Ex-father-in-law Johnny Cash covered “The Beast in Me” in 1994.
The sharp-witted Lowe was on “Prairie Home Companion” last month as well as “Live Tonight on NPR.”
Tom Paxton, Tom Rush: Folk singer-songwriter Paxton has taught at least a generation of traditional folksingers that writing your own songs was honorable and necessary. He started in Greenwich Village coffeehouses in the 1960s, and has produced standards such as “Bottle of Wine,” “The Last Thing on My Mind,” “Ramblin’ Boy” and “The Marvelous Toy.” Paxton was nominated for a 2003 Best Contemporary Folk Album Grammy.
Rush hit the folk scene in the 1960s and was one of the first musicians to merge his originals with traditional folk songs and songs by contemporary writers, helping to create the singer-songwriter category. Rolling Stone called his “Circle Game” the genesis of the singer-songwriter era.
Will Edwards, Tim Mudd: Edwards’ debut record earned a nomination for Best Acoustic Artist at the 2003 San Diego Music Awards with his cross-genre reflections on his experiences with life’s truths and foibles. The Zimbabwe-born musician seeks clean harmonies and melodies in his songs and in life.
Mudd, his Brit traveling companion, released “When You’ve Got Nothing Else” and “This is My Future Without You”; one on relationships between humans and their inherent vulnerability, the other his effort to create new dynamics with his audiences.
Both artists will be interviewed at 1 p.m. Saturday on Jim Hilmar’s “Fretting Fingers” show on KSER 90.7 FM.
Susan Werner: The literate singer-songwriter returns to Seattle with her latest CD, “The Gospel Truth,” inspired by attending the Chicago Gospel Music Festival. It’s a ground-breaking CD that strives to be the first agnostic gospel recording, with no disrespect intended. Werner is a free spirit among musicians, able to comfortably follow themed projects. Opening is Seattle’s alt-country singer Holly O’Reilly, twice featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Missy Higgins: Confusion and self-doubt have stepped aside as a more confident Higgins tours with her second CD, “On a Clear Night.” The Australian singer-songwriter could have opted for the pop package but instead chose to work on lyrics, variety of rhythm and connection with her audiences.
The Pleasure Elite: Cover the ears of small children when shock-rock comes to town, led by the vocals of Rev. V Blast and bandmates Luvleggs, Father Shark, Dj Biscuit and Mrs. Blast. The metal-, punk-, industrial-, hip-hop-, country-influenced indie band loves its toys and women. It started in 1994, disbanded and has regrouped.
Out and about: Everett-born Kenny Loggins (Saturday, Emerald Queen), originally part of Loggins and Messina, will play his soft rock and adult contemporary music … On the jazz scene, saxman Euge Groove (Oct. 11-14, Jazz Alley) and bassman Kyle Eastwood (Tuesday and Wednesday, Jazz Alley) lead their bands. Groove is a hot contemporary jazz performer topping off a number of charts; Eastwood, son of Clint Eastwood, has released albums and composed music for “Mystic River” and “Million Dollar Baby.”
As long as Ginny Reilly and David Maloney want to perform with vocals and guitars, their fans will show up (Saturday, Northshore Performing Arts Center) … Neo-hippie jam band Widespread Panic (tonight and Saturday, Paramount) continues to score with its rootsy brand of Southern rock colored by jazz and blues …
Once called “the greatest living country singer” by The New York Times, George Jones (Sunday, Paramount) continues to extend his five-decade track record that includes “White Lightning” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” … The Mekons (Wednesday, Town Hall) thrive on being one of the longest-running of the first-wave punk rock bands from Britain.
Where to hear it
Nick Lowe: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. NE, Bothell; $30; 425-489-6018.
Tom Paxton, Tom Rush: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $30, $33; 206-838-4333.
Will Edwards, Tim Mudd: 8 p.m. Saturday, Wired and Unplugged, 717 First St., Snohomish; $5, $7; 360-568-2472.
Susan Werner: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $16, $18; 206-838-4333.
Missy Higgins: 8 p.m. Tuesday , Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $15; 206-838-4333.
The Pleasure Elite: 8 p.m. tonight, Jimmy Z’s, 1712 Hewitt Ave., Everett; $10; 425-339-2424.
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