Play That Fast Thing 1,000 More Times: Rockpile-Live From Montreux

Could they be the greatest rock and roll band of all time? I don't feel too ookey saying so. At least for their active period, there were few to rival Rockpile. This relentless new release from Eagle Rock took my breath away... literally. I tried typing out my review while listening, but Della Street I'm not. The band kicked my ass and took my name.

It's funny that Seconds Of Pleasure, the one record released under the Rockpile moniker, is only represented twice on Live From Montreux. But as any fan of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams know, they had been playing on each other's records long before their 1980 debut, and this badass set of rock and roll covers all those bases.

I'd also like to point out that Terry Williams needs to be mentioned, from this day forward, whenever "Greatest Drummers Of All Time" are discussed.

While you wait patiently for Nick's new LP, (leading the pack for best of 2011, I might add,) get your pile of rock on with Live From Montreux.

 

Comments

[Something Else Reviews]

03:20 PM on 09/01/2011

Growing older has made Nick Lowe grayer, a little quieter, but no less clever, no less relevant, and certainly no less off-handedly absorbing. He is the living, breathing, guitar-playing, Buddy Holly shade-wearing embodiment of the old saw about getting better with age. His new album, along with this new Rockpile live document, is turning 2011 into a signature year ...

NICK
http://somethingelsereviews.com/2011/09/01/nick-lowe-the-old-magic-2011/

[triplettam]

04:37 PM on 08/23/2011

Dave Edmunds is one of the greatest underrated guitarists of all time. His work with Love Sculpture is still unmatched.

[Michael Giltz]

01:00 PM on 08/23/2011

Really? The greatest rock band of all time? So I grab my Rolling Stone record guide and they confirm that for its brief time together, Rockpile had the reputation as the greatest live act in the world. Ok, so you're not crazy.I'll withhold judgement tll I can jump back in time and see both Rockpile and Creedence Clearwater Revival at their peaks. Till then, I'll just look forward to the new Nick Lowe.

[ranchero42]

05:40 PM on 08/23/2011

Nick Lowe never registered with me until I read an in-depth article concerning the bittersweet experience of his "Jesus of Cool" project getting renamed for the American market as "Pure Pop For Now People". Good luck tracking down that article--I read it in "Trouser Press".

[Marshall Fine]

12:07 PM on 08/23/2011

Thanks for the head-up on this. One of the great lost bands of that era. Now if only someone would put out the definitive live English Beat set...

[JohnDrake6]

01:50 AM on 08/23/2011

Living in Austin TX in the 80's, I went to a lot of great performances and Dave Edmunds at a dive on Riverside around '86 was one of the best.

[Catothemuchyounger]

10:28 PM on 08/22/2011

Love Dave Edmunds and Rockpile.

[PRONESE]

09:50 PM on 08/22/2011

The Beat Farmers are right there with them IMHO.
Powder Finger - The Beat Farmers
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2_xZl3cmj4
R/ PRONESE