Dreaming of a New Tomorrow

Ian Gomm : Hold On

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On September 1, 1979,  Ian Gomm's "Hold On" entered the U.S. chart at #81, one spot ahead of the new Knack single "Good Girls Don't". The former Brinsley Schwarz rhythm guitarist and Nick Lowe's co writer of "Cruel to Be Kind" would  reach #18 with this terrific tune. Nothing beats a bass that tumbles its way into the tune. Gomm's chart success led to his opening for Dire Straits on their Sultans of Swing tour, more albums and high expectations for a solo career that never really took off. But at a time when US radio offered few alternatives to disco, it was nice to hear something that involved strumming guitars.The sax line I could have done without.

At My Wit's End

Nick Lowe : Cruel To Be Kind

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In the Summer of 1979, Nick Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind"  perked up the ears of radio listeners all over the world, peaking at #12 in the United States, the U.K. and in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The version we heard is the one Lowe later made this entertaining video for, a reenactment of his August 1979 wedding to Carlene Carter , with Dave Edmunds playing the limo driver. 

It's not the only version on record.

Lowe originally wrote the song with Ian Gomm for the final Brinsley Schwarz album, It’s All Over Now, which was never officially released.

“Initially... the inspiration was a song I loved by Harold Melvin + the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost', and the bass line was the same... we loved that Philly disco stuff from the 70's, The O'Jays, all that stuff, we loved that," recalled Lowe.

This version was eventually released as a B side to Lowe's "Little Hitler" single.

Lowe's solo version of the song calls back his original Philly soul inspiration.

"And I love doing it," he told GQ. " I really love it. It cheers people up. How I do it now sounds quite different. In fact, it was on the radio the other day and I was quite amazed how differently I do it now. If they’re good songs, they really will stand the test of time.".

#42 Ian Gomm "Hold On" 1979

In the fall of 1979, former Brinsley Schwarz rhythm guitarist ( and co writer with Nick Lowe of "Cruel to Be Kind") Ian Gomm had a Top 20 US hit with this terrific tune. Nothing beats a bass that tumbles its way into the tune. Gomm's chart success led to his opening for Dire Straits on their Sultans of Swing tour, more albums and high expectations for a solo career that never really took off.
  But at a time when US radio offered few alternatives to disco (other than The Knack and Styx), it was nice to hear something that involved strumming guitars.The sax line I could have done without.