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| Rachel Sweet |
| Be-Bop Deluxe |
| Suzi Quatro |
| Hello |
| Arrows |
| Slik |
| Rush |
Music from the in-car stereo....
Although I can’t predict what other artists my fellow Mud fans might be interested in, here is a small selection of my more recent purchases and recommendations..
Own up, how many out there can remember Rachel Sweet? As many as that...!
Rachel was not 16 when she was signed to Stiff Records who lost no time in trying to market her youth and unique voice (not necessarily in that order!). I always liked her sound and felt that she never quite achieved her potential. Of course, B-A-B-Y was a big hit for her, but as this compilation shows, she was extremely versatile and deserved better.
I gave up trying to get hold of her album years ago, then one day recently, going through some bargain-bin cast offs in a local record store, I found this little gem. I snapped it up immediately and was soon transported back to the late 70s, helped by Rachel’s cover of the Damned’s New Rose and Devo’s Be Stiff.
For me the highlight of the album is Cuckoo Clock which I fondly remember from an old Sounds magazine compilation.
The sound is a strange mix of late 70s pop, country and western and a hint of the new wave. Rachel’s vocals are smooth and laid back - almost hypnotic. A great collection of songs from a unique performer.
Sunburst Finish - Be-Bop Deluxe
When I was going through some old 45s which I was preparing to clean up and copy to CD, I came across an old EP from Be-Bop Deluxe. Hearing it for the first time in years prompted me to add this long forgotten gem to my CD collection.
Be-Bop Deluxe were always a difficult band to pigeon hole. They weren’t heavy rock or glam rock, they were just, well, Be-Bop Deluxe. Even the name gave nothing away.
Front man Bill Nelson had a real flair for mixing simple pop melodies with impressive guitar work and witty and inspiring lyrics, demonstrated admirably here by the tracks Fair Exchange and Blazing Apostles. The big hit from this album (and I think their old chart hit) was Ships In The Night. I remember seeing them perform this track on TOTP.
The remastered version currently available contains three bonus track not released on the original album: Blue and a Jewel, Speed Of The Wind and Shine.
Suzi Q was always one of the brightest stars of the early seventies glam rock scene. Her tough image, skin-tight leathers and commanding voice made her a true star of the era. By the late seventies she was beginning to turn her attention more towards her acting and the rough edge had gone from her recordings, much to my dismay. But, all is not lost. Working alongside fellow Chinnichap rocker Andy Scott, Suzi has produced her best album in many a year.
No, I'd go further than that and say that Back To The Drive is Suzi’s best album, full stop! A mix of self penned, covers and a Mike Chapman stormer to open the thing, this is a truly amazing album from one of the best female rock performers ever.
For the fans this is a must. For anyone who hasn’t got around to buying a Suzi Quatro album, your collection starts here.
It don’t get much better than this guys.
Also available from Suzi Quatro...
Hello - Keep Us Off The Streets
I always felt that Hello where one of the more under-rated bands of the mid-seventies. They didn’t quite fit with the rest of the glam acts as they came onto the scene as it was beginning to fade. A great shame as they were (and I presume still are) a really good band. This CD contains their biggest hits - Tell Him and New York Groove - as well as a superb selection of old and new tracks. If you remember Hello, then you'll love this. If you missed them then this is a good introduction to a band who had so much more to give, but were denied the opportunity.
Arrows - The Singles Collection
OK - I admit, the Arrows where hardly one of the best, but they did record two brilliant tracks: I Love Rock And Roll and The Boogiest Band In Town. I bought this CD on the strength of these two tracks and was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the rest seemed to have improved with age (or is that just me?!). Of course, I Love Rock and Roll has become a classic thanks to Joan Jett, and Boogiest Band In Town is probably better remembered as a Slik track, but here the Arrows really make them their own and they don’t sound half bad.
Own up, how many of you reading this remember the Arrows TV show? Yes, it was bad, but now, after a couple of decades to get over the embarrassment of it all, tracks such as Once Upon A Time, Touch Too Much and Love Child, stand up quiet well.
Certainly an interesting trip down memory lane for me, and one I’m glad I made. Check it out. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Slik
Inspired by hearing Boogiest Band In Town by the Arrows (see above), I tracked down this CD from another of the seventies forgotten bands. I will never forget Slik’s appearance in the film “Never Too Young To Rock” which was so different from the image I had of them from watching Top Of The Pops. On the strength of that alone I had to get this CD which, I have to admit, was a little disappointing, but interesting non the less. The tracks here span the period 1975 to 1977 and showcase a band who’s image was just wrong, but musically weren’t too bad actually. I certainly get the impression that they had to be seen live to be fully appreciated.
Rush - Snakes and Arrows
With absolutely no link to Mud other than they are one of my favourite bands, this long awaited album from Rush has been a regular feature of my drive to work since its release last year. A return to former glory for Canada’s premier rock band, Snakes And Arrows is one of the band’s best albums since Exit Stage Left. I was lucky enough to see them on the tour the followed the album’s release and I can honestly say that it was one of the best nights of my life! There is a chemistry between Alex, Lee and Neil that makes every performance magic.
If you are one of the many who have never gotten around to listening to a Rush album then this is as good a place to start as any (although
Other Rush Albums I would recommend...
More from the car CD player soon.....
Last update: 30/10/2008