On the speed dial under G (for guitar) of the great and the good of the music business but only distantly recalled by most folks for a handful of 1960s and 1970s singles, Andy Fairweather Lowe’s facebook status really should be ‘acclaimed’, but instead is more ‘overlooked’. He was born today in 1948.
Guitarist/vocalist Andy Fairweather Low was born in Ystrad Mynach, Wales. Coming to prominence as the lead singer/guitarist of Amen Corner, the group scored six UK charts hits between 1967 and 1969, including a number one with “(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice”.
1970 saw Andy form the band Fairweather with former Corner colleagues and enjoy a top ten single with “Natural Sinner”, before opting to pursue a solo career. The commercial high point of that was 1975′s languid ode to alcoholic excess, “Wide Eyed and Legless” (with Georgie Fame amongst those backing him).
Touring in his own right, he also appeared live with The Who and played extensively as a session guitarist. recording credits with the likes of George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Roger Waters followed, along with a regular place in Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings.
Many of his former colleagues in those collaborations returned the favour on Andy’s 2006 Glyn Johns-produced album“Sweet Soulful Music” – a first solo set since 1980′s “Mega Shebang”. And two years later came the release of a Best of Album “The Low Rider” on Proper, with 25 newly-recorded tracks showcasing his five decades in the music business.
Since then Andy has been out on the road again with Eric Claption and rejoined a musical collective christened the Gadabouts, which includes former New Bohemians singer Edie Brickell (aka Mrs Paul Simon). Their self-titled debut album emerged in January 2011 – some nine years after the first session.
And bringing the story up to date, 2012 saw the release through Proper of a live recording that documents the Low Riders stage shows the previous year. Entitled “Lively”, the cover promises “Rhythm and Blues Gospel Country Blues” and the contents don’t disappoint, with covers of crowd pleasers include “Bright Lights, Big City” and “Gin House Blues” - the latter harking back to Amen Corner’s 1967 set list.
