James Lowe - Music News

Rock On, Gold Dust....

2012-02-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

I'm fortunate to have this record on original vinyl! In our house, there are regular debates about who provides the true talent in the band. Stevie? Lindsey? Christine? The band's name-sakes? Playful banter aside, it's fair to say that the elusive something comes from the group's unique composition. I'd also add a respectful nod to the absent co-founder, Peter Green. As it turned out, all roads led to the recording of the band's best known album - Rumours, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this month. In this article over at Music Radar, the band's producer Ken Caillat reflects on the making of Rumours, track-by-track. The article also features some great images of the band, on and off stage. Rumours - some say - after 35 years, is still one of the world's best albums ever made. I'd agree. Truly great, memorable, classic albums are like gold dust.

Awake & Aware...

2012-02-05T04:11:00.000-08:00

"See the pages of days torn away and I turn to my future,

I'll have no line of sight in this life while I wish and I wonder,

see me climb to the top, I'm not blinded by signs and by science,

I'm awake, I'm aware, I can see and I'm free to believe.

See them whisper on the wind, I'm calling, I'm crying out loud again.

And I'm breathing in and out,

And I'm living again,

I've been playing,

On mood swings and roundabouts,

Now I'm living...

- Moodswings & Roundabouts, James Lowe

The 5 Year Old Wisdom of John Lennon...

2012-01-12T03:48:00.001-08:00

A Change Is Blowin In The Wind...

2011-12-13T07:49:00.000-08:00

My partner & creative collaborator recently created a Be The Change series over at our sister blog, Surfing The Wave. Most recently she referenced a film (also a book) called The Help, which is set in the early 60s and focuses on racial oppression and the civil rights movement. This got us thinking about "change" songs of that time. Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' In The Wind' is one of the most iconic...

Another song which embodies the the feeling of the early 60s is Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come'. What you may not know is that Sam Cooke was apparently so moved that Bob Dylan - a white man - was singing about racism, that he found the courage to write about it too....

Do you love how music forever captures a moment in history? If you want to listen, switch off my audio player in the side-bar and click on the links above. Just close your eyes and be transported back in time....

I dig music...

2011-11-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

Music, you know, true music -
not just rock n roll - it chooses you.
It lives in your car,
or alone listening to your headphones,
you know,
with the vast scenic bridges

and angelic choirs in your brain.

- Lester Bangs, Almost Famous

Making Waves...

2011-10-25T06:50:00.001-07:00

I'm just back from a visit to the beach that inspired 'Making Waves' - the final acoustic track on Radio Friendly. St Cyrus Beach - you kind of have to be there, standing alone on the miles of sand hidden beneath the cliffs to fully appreciate the amazing energy of the place! I was there again as part of a 'mini break' over the weekend. Check out the whole adventure over at sister blog, Postcards From The Coast for tips on places to stay, eat and visit...and for a peek at my new travelling companion! :)

Can't No Preacher Man Save My Soul...?

2011-10-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

"Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul"

(Note: Click on the Audio Player on the right hand bar
to turn it down ...and listen to this video!)

Later With Jools Holland has built its reputation on showcasing great new music, but every now and again it excels itself with a truly mind-blowingly brilliant appearance on the show. This time round it was california girl meets southern boy duo - The Civil Wars playing the single Barton Hollow, from the album of the same name.

Love For Sale - £1500 - Beautiful Martin Guitar...

2011-09-24T03:52:00.001-07:00

You know how it is? You meet two beauties and you can't choose between them. The ideal scenario is to take them both home with you. So, it was, a few years ago when I was faced with choosing between two stunning Martin guitars. I couldn't do it, so decided that we'd be one big happy family... I'd take the two of them on tour with me....and for a while, we all got along just fine. Then I discovered the benefits of using a travelling guitar for tours. As a result, one of my Martin's found a home in the studio (used on the album Radio Friendly) while the other began gathering dust. Ain't that a sin? So, it's time to send this girl out into the world to make sweet music with a loving new partner. Will it be you? Find out more about this beauty at Gumtree - Martin Guitar.

Strumming All Over The World...

2011-06-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hello - ok, there's seldom any excuse for referencing Status Quo songs but on this occasion, I'm going to let it slide! I've just received my royalties summary from ITunes...and wanted to say a big THANK YOU to those of you from all over the world who invested in music from my album, Radio Friendly. It's an honour to know that you're tuned in at home here in Scotland, across the UK, Europe and as far afield as America and Australia. Thank you! James :)

The Vinyl Battle For Your Soul...

2011-06-09T03:12:00.000-07:00

Otis

Vs

Marvin

So, I just took delivery of some more vinyl for my slowly but surely growing collection and what that big ole' record case desperately needed was some real old fashioned soul albums. Now, I don't know much about the genre but figured I couldn't go wrong with a couple of soul legends? I put my records on, settled down with a big cup of coffee and let the music play out. Thing is, for me, one stands head and shoulders above the other...

So I'm wondering, in the vinyl battle for your soul, who would win?

You can turn me off by muting the volume button on the right....then click on the artist links above to listen. Be sure to let me know what you think. Oh, and if you too want to get to know your soul a little better (and if you're a spotify member) you can download my girl's playlist - You've Got Soul featuring music from Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Marlene Shaw, Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke - all the greats.... Enjoy! :)

For the love of music...

2011-03-30T14:11:00.001-07:00

I've heard recently about the concept of giving back to the source of your inspiration - good karma and all that. In this really inspiring article the man behind CD Baby, Derek Sivers, explains why he gave away his multi million dollar business to charity.
Image via here

Because you're mine, I'll walk the line....

2011-03-18T15:37:00.001-07:00

I just watched 'Walk The Line' (again). Great film! Now, sometimes, a singer-songwriter finds himself in front of a brand new audience and it's tempting to perform a cover - something the audience knows - then hope for the best. But this quote - attributed to the famed Sun Studios record producer, Sam Philip as he auditioned the young Johnny Cash - would surely inspire any musician to get out there and play his own music....

"If you was hit by a truck and you was lying out there in that gutter dying, and you had time to sing one song. Huh? One song that people would remember before you're dirt. One song that would let God know how you felt about your time here on Earth. One song that would sum you up. You tellin' me that's the song you'd sing? That same tune we hear on the radio all day, about your peace within, and how it's real, and how you're gonna shout it? Or... would you sing somethin' different. Somethin' real. Somethin' you felt. Cause I'm telling you right now, that's the kind of song people want to hear. That's the kind of song that truly saves people. It ain't got nothin to do with believin' in God.... It has to do with believin'' in yourself."
- Sam Philips to Johnny Cash, Walk The Line

Soundtrack of the Universe....

2011-03-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Is the universe's own music being played out across space? Now I'm no scientist but from what I can gather, according to this fascinating talk, it just might be. Be warned, the talk takes a while to reach its crescendo - but stick with it and maybe you'll hear something like the first song ever written...

Rainy Day Song - Free Download

2011-03-14T04:45:00.000-07:00

Rainy days & mondays always get me down. So said The Carpenters. Led Zeppelin wrote Rain Song. This is the music we seem to be drawn to when our minds are weathering their own personal storms. Still, we like to find a way to look on the bright side and so, we're sharing a free download from James Lowe's debut album Radio Friendly. His beautifully melancholy Falling In is a reflection on starting another rubbish day and finding a way to turn it around in your mind. Just click on this link to James Lowe - Facebook Page, go to Band Profile and download your free song.

"clouds crying out loud won't bring me down...."
- James Lowe

Find out more about James at his official website www.jameslowe.info.

PS. The weather was perilous - rain, sleet and snow - as we made the trip from east coast to west coast at the weekend for James Lowe's performance on the Isle of Skye....and it was still worth the visit! What a magical part of the world. Nick - thanks again for setting it up. :)

Photo via google images

2000 Acres of Skye......

2011-01-27T06:45:00.000-08:00

image via here

Just confirmed! James Lowe will perform a spring-time West Coast acoustic gig on the magical Isle of Skye. He'll be at the King Haakon Bar, right on the water in Kyleakin on Saturday 12th March. If you're looking for an excuse to take a relaxing break on the west-coast, this is it! There's accommodation in and around Kyleakin and one of our favourite places to stay on Skye is this stunning, contemporary, waterfront B&B. a few miles along the coast. Of course, this isn't James's first trip to the West Coast. Here are a few of our favourite pictures from his last tour....

applecross, gig at 'the flower tunnel'

view from applecross campsite

the 'tour bus'
on the beach, gairloch
rehearsals for gig at 'glen elg inn'
ullapool sunset, gig at 'the ceilidh place'

mountain backdrop at 'ben nevis inn'
time to scale the heights, ben nevis summit

2011-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ahoy There! It's back! Our next live in-house Acoustic Wave Cafe event is happening on Saturday 16th April from 1pm and we're delighted to announce a live performance from prolific and highly acclaimed Edinburgh singer-songwriter, Simon Kempston...

Simon Kempston

Here's what the media say....

"delicately beautiful melodies, strikingly politicised lyrics"
- The Sunday Herald
‘Thought provoking lyrics coupled with beautifully crafted songs.’
- Rick Fulton, The Daily Record
‘Beautiful songs’
- BBC Radio
‘A celtic explosion of guitar and voice...incisive, uniquely melodic.’
- The Scotsman

Go to Acoustic Wave Cafe for more details or click here to RSVP. Check out the storyboard for our October 2010 event @ Postcards From The Coast. Take a peek inside our May 2010 event here.

Just let the record play...

2011-01-20T05:04:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the way we listen to music today. I love all of the technology that allows us to enjoy music in so many formats, on the go, uploading, downloading, playlists, sharing with friends, the list goes on. Still, sometimes I romanticise the good old days - making up mix tapes and buying an album to listen to - all the way through. Also, some months ago, my mother handed me her vinyl record collection in a big old box. We talked about some of the treasures we discovered on the Drifters or Seekers? post over at Acoustic Wave - News. At the time, I didn't own a record player - I'd never owned one in my 30+ years on this earth - but those old records were just begging to be played again. Thanks to inheriting this collection and my current fascination with listening to music the old-fashioned way, I was gifted a record player for my birthday...my very first! It arrived this morning. So, I took that original Ray Charles 45' from its sleeve and for the first time I put on a record. I listened to the crackle of static as he opened 'Georgia On My Mind', I listened to a mint condition original of Joni Mitchell's 1971 'Blue' and Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bookends' in their entirety, and I discovered the warmth of Bob Dylan's 'Like A Rolling Stone' spinning under the needle, as it was intended. I read recently that as the world speeds up, it's good to slow down. Music on vinyl is one of those precious gifts that has helped me to do that.

"if you slow down, you just might make out
the sound of the world, it
spins and it grounds you"
- James Lowe

Live & Acoustic, in your living room...

2011-01-09T11:31:00.001-08:00

Would you love to hear amazing live music on your own doorstep? How about in your own living room?Acoustic Wave's Live In Your Living Room bring gigs featuring awesome Scottish musicians James Lowe and The Oatesfield straight to the heart of your home. Find out more at www.liveinyourlivingroom.co.uk.

A Highland Happy New Year...

2011-01-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

Hello & Happy New Year!

Hope you had an amazing festive season with your nearest & dearest, great food, amazing music and plenty of comforts, in a place that's special to you...?

There are a few places in life that feel really magical and inspiring. I'm lucky to live by the sea which always helps musical ideas to flow and when I travel, it's a real bonus if I find myself in a location that brings a new dimension to that creativity. So, spending the winter in the heart of the Scottish Highlands was pretty special! We enjoyed all of December and the festive season at Laggandhu, nestled in the foothills of the Cairngorm mountain range. There was lots of playing guitar by the fire, staring out at the ever-changing mountain-scape or just having a dram and listening to uplifting music. Roddy Woomble's 'My Secret Is My Silence' was a particuarly brilliant soundtrack to the month, with lyrics like "If you never leave the highlands like you're drowning under rain and your sadness tastes like whiskey and my body breathes the same". Genius. Other highland highlights included one of our party - a local gamekeeper - firing two gun shots at the moon just after the bells at midnight to ward off evil spirits. When silence returned we could hear the sound of other country folks doing the same thing around the glens. Anyway, the result was an abundance of my own song-crafting and inspiration for my next album. The cottage is such an amazing place, I really want to share it with you - and the great news is I can! Laggandhu, near Nethy Bridge, is available to book via this website. See below for a sneak peek inside (and outside). If you ever get the chance, take a trip there and see for yourself! I'll be back soon with more updates....

...meanwhile, HAPPY NEW YEAR! James x :)

PS. The final photo of me in my kilt is courtesy of my management! Apparently it would be rude not to include it in this record of a traditional Highland Hogmany. It's still affiliated to my Irish roots though - it's County Kerry District Tartan. So, here's an Irish blessing to send you on your way into 2011....

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.

Free Music Friday - Part 2...

2010-11-05T04:13:00.001-07:00

"time to scale the heights,
stretch for the surface,
reach for the light.."

- James Lowe - The Sense

It's the weekend! So, James is giving you another free track from his debut album Radio Friendly. Click on the link to James Lowe - Facebook Page, go to Band Profile and download! You can buy the complete album & find out more about James Lowe at his official website www.jameslowe.info.

"beautiful & indeed very radio friendly" - BBC Radio Scotland
Image via labelleviegirl

Free Music Friday...

2010-10-22T01:45:00.001-07:00

Brighten up the long winter nights! Right now, we're giving you free downloads from James Lowe's debut album Radio Friendly. Just click on the link to James Lowe - Facebook Page, go to Band Profile and download! Find out more about James at his official website www.jameslowe.info.

NEW! James Lowe - I'll Never Forget About You (Rough Demo)

2010-10-06T13:03:00.001-07:00

Lyrics

Nobody knows

Which way the weather goes
People move on, find their own way
Of the overcast crowd
You are still shining out

Nobody sees
Which way the road leads
Some leave us behind, horizons expanding
Its enough to have time
And to travel together

Sleep now, he's taking you on
Rise with the road and be gone
Know I'll never forget about you

If you slow down
You can just make out the sound of the world
It spins, and it grounds you
Never forget
That's enough to be happy
Sleep now, he's taking you home
Just drift with the tide and be gone
Know I'll never forget about you

All means have their end
All roads have been travelled
We weather our ways
And map our intent
Where do we begin again
When the rope is unravelling
Untether our hopes from fear
Just drift out to dream

Sleep now, its time to go home
Just drift with the tide and be gone

Know I'll never forget about you

James Lowe - I'll Never Forget About You (Rough Demo)

Go to www.jameslowe.info for the official website

Alternatively, go to our Music page at www.acousticwave.co.uk

Sittin' in a park in Paris, France...

2010-08-19T12:48:00.001-07:00

...reading the news and it sure looks bad, they won't give peace a chance, that was just a dream some of us had...." - Joni Mitchel, California.

James Lowe - finding lyrical inspiration in the city of light! Well, if it's good enough for Joni....

James sails into Acoustic Wave Cafe...

2010-06-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

James took time out from song-writing to perform a stunning acoustic set at this spring's intimate and exclusive Acoustic Wave Cafe, by the seaside on Scotland's east coast. Find out more Acoustic Wave Cafe

West Coast Mini Tour

2009-06-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to everyone who made this week such a great pleasure....especially the fine folks at the Glenelg Inn, Applecross Flower Tunnel, Ben Nevis Inn and of course the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool. Hoping to go back to all those lovely places very soon!