For the past three Decembers America’s Lucha Libre guitar heroes Los Straitjackets have toured with Nick Lowe for his Christmas-themed “Quality Holiday Revue,” performing classics old and new with the Jesus of Cool. Van discussions with Nick’s co-producer Neil Brockbank led to the speculation: What would Nick’s songs sound like as instrumentals? There was only one way to answer the question.
Los Straitjackets delved into Nick’s catalog — from Brinsley Schwarz through Rockpile to his late career as a soulful pop stylist -- and came up with original arrangements of some of Nick’s most iconic songs. With Brockbank in the producer’s chair the band veers from Pop (“Rollers Show”) to Twang (“All Men Are Liars”) even Exotica (with the Bolero-flavored “I Read a Lot”) and of course surf (“I Live on a Battlefield”). Here are 13 unforgettable melodies delivered with the flair that only Los Straitjackets can provide.
