The Abominable Showman Explained

The Abominable Showman
Type:	Studio album
Artist:	Nick Lowe
Cover:	TheAbominableShowmanAlbumCoverUK.jpg
Released:	March 1983
Recorded:	Rockfield, Wales; Ampro, London
Genre:	Garage rock, pop, rock and roll
Length:	35:07
Label:	F-Beat (UK), Columbia (US)
Producer:	Roger Bechirian, Nick Lowe
Prev Title:	Nick the Knife
Prev Year:	1982
Next Title:	Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit
Next Year:	1984

The Abominable Showman is the fourth solo album by the English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, released in 1983.^[1] Lowe supported the album by touring with Paul Carrack.^[2]

The album was out of print for two decades until being reissued on CD and vinyl by Yep Roc Records on 14 July 2017. The reissue contained three bonus tracks.^[3]

Critical reception

The New York Times noted the "light but appealing funk, reggae and 1960's soul in addition to the expected garage-pop-and-roll."^[4]

Track listing

Note: The packaging of the YepRoc reissue omits mention of "Pet You and Hold You" as a bonus track.

Personnel

Nick Lowe – bass, guitar, lead vocals
James Eller – bass
Bobby Irwin – drums, backing vocals
Paul Carrack – keyboards, backing vocals, duet vocals on "Wish You Were Here"
Martin Belmont – guitar

Other credits

Robert Kirby – string arrangements
Carlene Carter and Simon Climie – harmonies and harmonics on "Time Wounds All Heels"
Pete Marsh – backing vocals on "Paid The Price" and "Tanque-Rae"
George Rains – The Abominable Showman
Keith Morris – photography

Production

The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios, Wales and Ampro Studio, London.

Producer – Roger Bechirian with Nick Lowe
Engineers – Roger Bechirian, Paul Cobbold and Paul Bass

Singles

Three songs off this album were released as singles:

"Raging Eyes" / "Tanque-Rae" ("Raging Eyes" was recorded in October 1981)
"Cool Reaction" (Promo only)
"Wish You Were Here" / "How Do You Talk To An Angel"

Notes and References

News: Tucker . Ken . Opening for Petty tonight will be Nick Lowe... . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 1 Apr 1983 . E22.
News: Takiff . Jonathan . Nick Lowe . Philadelphia Daily News . 1 Apr 1983 . Features . 55.
News: YEP ROC RECORDS TO REISSUE SIX LONG OUT-OF-PRINT NICK LOWE TITLES, MAKING HIS ENTIRE ALBUM CATALOG AVAILABLE ON ONE LABEL – Yep Roc Records. 2 May 2017. Yep Roc Records. 27 September 2018. en-US.
News: Palmer . Robert . The Pop Life . The New York Times . 23 Mar 1983 . C22.