Both of these earlier albums were 'poppy' albums with at least a flavour of psychedelia, although they did deliver some quite wonderful singles, "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" becoming not only one of the most famous but also one of the most recognisable. "Down The Dustpipe" although becoming a successful single was a million miles from these previous poppy efforts. It has to be said that in the opinion of a large number of fans the output from "Down The Dustpipe" onwards was not only more indicative of what Quo were about but was also substantially better as well.
 |
| Status Quo 1970 |
The "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" album was the follow up to the single "Dustpipe". Largely blues and boogie based it was the start of a highly successful formula that was going to bring Quo world-wide fame and riches a few years later. This formula was built on with the next (and final) PYE album "Dog Of Two Head", a hard rocking album that left record company, fans and all concerned with Quo in no doubt about the direction they had decided to take.
l. Spinning Wheel Blues
First track of the new album and what a change from previous efforts. Written by Francis Rossi and Bob Young this track really did set the trend for (many many) years to come!
2. Daughter
Again fairly typical of things to come. Written by Alan Lancaster the track had the plodding bass and repeated guitar riffs that were to become a (highly successful) trademark of the new Quo. The album even features a short Deep Purplesque keyboard break. Something that would not be seen after this album for a good many years.
3. Everything
Third album track and one of the few to be lifted as a single (PYE 7N 452291 B-side to the "Mean Girl" single which was released March 1973, long after Quo had departed from PYE. "Mean Girl" was released to capitalise on the newly found success Quo had gained with the Piledriver album.
4. Shy Fly
A song that was to show fairly typical boogie traits that were to make Quo so famous in years to come' The only thing untypical is the keyboard in the song.
5. (Apil) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
A song that is fit for an album. This one really comes across as being a bit of a filler. OK in the context of the album though.
5. (Apil) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
A song that is fit for an album. This one really comes across as being a bit of a filler. OK in the context of the album though.
 |
| Rossi and Parfitt 1970 |
6. Juniors Wailing
This was definitely one of the best racks from the new Quo, if not one of the best tracks they ever recorded!
7. Lakky Lady
This track was becoming a good example of typical Quo. Not only was it an album track but it was also used as a B-side for the single (PYE 7N45253) The A side being "Gerdundala", which itself was previously released as the B-side to "My Chair" in Ictober 1970, PYE's reasoning in releasing Gurdundala as an A side in July 1973 was an obvious one, the track was featured heavily in the bands live set at the time.
7. Lakky Lady
This track was becoming a good example of typical Quo. Not only was it an album track but it was also used as a B-side for the single (PYE 7N45253) The A side being "Gerdundala", which itself was previously released as the B-side to "My Chair" in Ictober 1970, PYE's reasoning in releasing Gurdundala as an A side in July 1973 was an obvious one, the track was featured heavily in the bands live set at the time.
8. Need Your Love
A bit of a plodder, "Need Your Love" contained some musical signatures that were to crop up often in later Quo records.
9. Lazy Poker Blues
Another great little boogie number with a piano style that was to frequent some of the songs from the band's middle period. Check out "Break The Rules" of the 'Quo' album from 1974.
10. a) Is It Really Me b) Gotta Go Home
This was the start of the long songs for Quo. "Is It Really Me" starts as plodding introduction for 2 mins 50 secs then blasts into "Gotta Go Home", a good boogie number that was going to become quite typical for Quo in later years. The major difference here from later songs was the use of the organ in the track. There are things you will hear in the song that definately re-appear in longer versions of songs from the band's live sets during the mid-seventies. Great material here for those drunken party nights. Turn it up VERY loud and enjoy.
Bonus Tracks:
11. In My Chair
This version is an alternate mix to the original single release (PYE 7N 17998), and is previously unreleased. Another non-LP track that was released the same month as the 'Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon' album. This single was also a strong indication of the change of direction the band was taking. A trackl that was sometimes p-layed live later in the seventies, it was definitely not out of place with some of their later material. The single charted on the 7th November, 1970 climbing to number 21 and completing 14 weeks in the BBC listings.
12. Gerdundula
Released originally in October 1970 on the Pye label as the B-side of "In My Chair" - in England and Germany, the original song runs to around 3 minutes 16 seconds. "Gerdundula" was re-released in July 1973 when it failed to chart. It also appears on the 1971 'Dog Of Two Head' album where it runs to 3 minutes 49 seconds, but this alternate mix from the original (previously unreleased), is the longest version running for 4 minutes 10 seconds.
13. Down The Dustpipe
The version is an alternate previously ureleased mix of the original single (PYE 7N 17907). Now we are talking Quo! This was the song that not only returned Status Quo to the charts but it was also an indication of the radical direction that Rossi and co. wished to take. "Down The Dustpipe" had been written by an Australian, Carl Grossman [spelt Groszmann on PYE labels) who played rhythm guitar for Australian R&B band 'Steve and The Board' in the late 60's, under the alias of Carl Keats.
When the original single charted on 2nd may, 1970 it began an unbroken run of 17 weeks in the charts! It reached a peak at number 12, and although it did not achieve as high a position as some of the earlier singles it's stay in the charts was significantly longer. "Down The Dustpipe" was not incorporated on the third Status Quo album and it did not secure an album release until PYE later put together a compilation to capitalise on the sucess of Status Quo in the 70's. [See earlier 'Best Of ' Post]
14. Juniors Wailing
An alternate mix, and previously unreleased.
A bit of a plodder, "Need Your Love" contained some musical signatures that were to crop up often in later Quo records.
9. Lazy Poker Blues
Another great little boogie number with a piano style that was to frequent some of the songs from the band's middle period. Check out "Break The Rules" of the 'Quo' album from 1974.
10. a) Is It Really Me b) Gotta Go Home
This was the start of the long songs for Quo. "Is It Really Me" starts as plodding introduction for 2 mins 50 secs then blasts into "Gotta Go Home", a good boogie number that was going to become quite typical for Quo in later years. The major difference here from later songs was the use of the organ in the track. There are things you will hear in the song that definately re-appear in longer versions of songs from the band's live sets during the mid-seventies. Great material here for those drunken party nights. Turn it up VERY loud and enjoy.
11. In My Chair
This version is an alternate mix to the original single release (PYE 7N 17998), and is previously unreleased. Another non-LP track that was released the same month as the 'Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon' album. This single was also a strong indication of the change of direction the band was taking. A trackl that was sometimes p-layed live later in the seventies, it was definitely not out of place with some of their later material. The single charted on the 7th November, 1970 climbing to number 21 and completing 14 weeks in the BBC listings.
12. Gerdundula
Released originally in October 1970 on the Pye label as the B-side of "In My Chair" - in England and Germany, the original song runs to around 3 minutes 16 seconds. "Gerdundula" was re-released in July 1973 when it failed to chart. It also appears on the 1971 'Dog Of Two Head' album where it runs to 3 minutes 49 seconds, but this alternate mix from the original (previously unreleased), is the longest version running for 4 minutes 10 seconds.
The version is an alternate previously ureleased mix of the original single (PYE 7N 17907). Now we are talking Quo! This was the song that not only returned Status Quo to the charts but it was also an indication of the radical direction that Rossi and co. wished to take. "Down The Dustpipe" had been written by an Australian, Carl Grossman [spelt Groszmann on PYE labels) who played rhythm guitar for Australian R&B band 'Steve and The Board' in the late 60's, under the alias of Carl Keats.
When the original single charted on 2nd may, 1970 it began an unbroken run of 17 weeks in the charts! It reached a peak at number 12, and although it did not achieve as high a position as some of the earlier singles it's stay in the charts was significantly longer. "Down The Dustpipe" was not incorporated on the third Status Quo album and it did not secure an album release until PYE later put together a compilation to capitalise on the sucess of Status Quo in the 70's. [See earlier 'Best Of ' Post]
14. Juniors Wailing
An alternate mix, and previously unreleased.
This post consists of FLACs ripped from the 1998 CD release and includes full album artwork for both vinyl and CD media, along with label scans for both Australian (ASTOR) and UK (PYE) releases.
This CD release includes 4 bonus tracks (alternate mixes), including their hit single "Down The Dustpipe".
Track List:
01 Spinning Wheel Blues 3:21
02 Daughter 3:01
03 Everything 2:36
04 Shy Fly 3:49
05 (April) Spring, Summer And Wednesdays 4:12
06 Junior's Wailing 3:33
07 Lakky Lady 3:14
08 Need Your Love 4:46
09 Lazy Poker Blues 3:37
10 Is It Really Me / Gotta Go Home 9:34
Bonus Tracks
11 In My Chair (Alternate Mix) 3:34
12 Gerdundula (Alternate Mix) 4:10
13 Down The Dustpipe (Alternate Mix) 2:08
14 Junior's Wailing (Alternate Mix) 3:35
Francis Rossi - Guitar, Vocals
Rick Parfitt - Guitar, Vocals
Alan Lancaster - Bass, Vocals
John Coghlan - Drums
Roy Lynes - Keyboards
Bob Young - Harmonica
Status Quo's Greasy Link (361Mb)
No comments:
Post a Comment