The minds of the Radar Records/ Jake Riviera axis work overtime. Witness the new Nick Lowe single! The A-side is "American Squirm," a song written and sung by Lowe, while the B-side, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding," is billed as "Nick Lowe and His Sound," but has Elvis Costello on lead vocals. The song, written by Lowe, was originally done by Brinsley Schwarz on their final LP, The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz, in 1974. The new version lacks the power of the Dave Edmunds-produced original, but that's hardly the point.
Canadian CBS has issued a three track Costello maxi-single with "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea," "Night Rally," and "Tiny Steps." The first two songs were previously available only on the British version of This Year's Model, and "Tiny Steps" was available only as the British B-side of "Radio, Radio."
Stiff hasn't said much recently about an upcoming Ian Dury album, but they now have a new single with two previously unreleased songs: "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"/"There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards."
Fans of Dury may want to investigate the team of veteran British rockers Chas and Dave, whose new lp Rockney has been released by EMI. Another obscure veteran getting a new chance is John Spencer. Beggars Banquet is issuing his new album John Spencer's Louts.
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