If There Is Such a Thing as a Perfect Show, Nick Lowe Brought It to the Triple Door Last Night

Nick Lowe is tall and gracious, wears suits that fit, has a fistful of fingers that dwarf the neck of his guitar, and has a head of silver hair that's aged as well as his pristine, crystal clear voice. He bows out of appreciation -- not tradition -- at the enthusiastic roar of "his people" after he plays the classic, "Cruel to Be Kind."

There wasn't anything flashy about Nick Lowe's solo, acoustic set at the Triple Door last night. But it was a flawlessly executed performance of hits -- new and old -- from his own catalogue and those of his peers.

Lowe teased the audience -- which he affectionately referred to as "his people," as opposed to "Wilco's people" he'd been entertaining earlier this year -- offering them, at one point, a choice between new tracks "I Read a Lot" and "House for Sale," opting for the latter. His cover of Elvis Costello's "Alison" evoked whisper-singing of the chorus from the audience; those whispers rose to a dull roar for "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding."

It was a rare show that struck the balance of new material and old; that was in service of the audience, but without being nostalgic and rote. If there is such a thing as a perfect show, Nick Lowe got as close as you can get. And he'll be doing it all again tonight.

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