I discovered hard rock in 1974 when I went to grammar school and was soon deep inside the world of Status Quo. There was something about their boogie 8-bar which was infectious, and they kept getting onto Top of the Pops with hit single after hit single. I think the first album I got was probably ‘Piledriver’ or ‘Dog of Two Head’, while their 1977 ‘Live!’ album is rightfully recognised as a classic. For some strange reason I only ever saw them play once, when they supported Queen at Wembley Stadium in 1986 (for those feeling envious already, please note the band before Quo was INXS on their ‘Listen Like Thieves’ tour), but like many fans I slowly lost interest as they turned into a parody of their former selves and the last album I bought was ‘In The Army Now’.

So when I realised this album was a collection of rare tracks from the late 1990s and early 2000s, some of which have been unavailable for over 20 years as previously they had only been available on CD singles, a soundtrack, or editions of albums only available in one country, I was rather dubious about what I was going to find. But you know what? This isn’t half bad. Sure, it doesn’t stand up against their early material, but “Lucinda” is a blast from the past with Rick and Francis locked in playing eight bar like the old days, getting the little finger moving, Andy provides the organ background while the rhythm section is basic but tight, making one wonder what would have happened with their career if they had released a full album like this as there is no doubt there are many fans who miss the old days of sweat, hair, denim and the locked in stance which was provided to us by The Frantic Four. This song is right at the end of the album, followed by two re-recordings, “Whatever You Want” and “Don’t Waste My Time” and while I have no idea why they felt there was a need to record them again, these three songs show just what they are capable of.

Before those last songs there are another 11 numbers which may not be what many of us would like to hear from the Quo, with way too much of a pop element contained within, but this set is overall way more interesting than I ever expected. I can’t say I will ever play it as much as I listen to ‘If You Can’t Stand The Heat’ or ‘On The Level’, but it is something to which I am sure I will return, and I didn’t think I would ever say that about a Quo studio album from the last 30 years.

Rating: 7/10

Links:
https://www.statusquo.co.uk/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/