Here’s a minor confession: I’m a huge fan of Nick Lowe. And I don’t mean his amazing late ’70s/early ’80s body of work, which spawned the timeless hit “Cruel to be Kind.” I do love that period of Lowe’s discography, but today I’m talking about his later ’90s stuff. Like, “Dig My Mood” and the amazing “Impossible Bird” album. Somewhere between torch songs and hilarious, electrified folk.
Why do I say all that?
Because Bob Lind’s “It Oughta Be Easy” is of the same tradition. Insightful storytelling lyrics that have wisdom, love, and humor. Music that is as at home in a bluesy club today as in the 1940s. Standout tracks: Happy Mantra (“I’m gonna be happy/It’s on my list of things to do”), Sophia’s Lullaby, and an amazing cover of Sarah McLachlan’s “Adia” that, in my view, is better than the original.
Check it out.
