STATUS QUO - Riffs

It makes you wonder what possessed Status Quo to release this, their numpteenth cover versions album, shortly after they got their first good reviews in years, for 2002s "Heavy Traffic". I can only assume a lack of ideas and a record company desire for 'product'. It's even madder when you consider that 5 of the covers are of their own choons. ("Caroline", "Junior's Wailing", "Down The Dustpipe", "Whatever You Want" and "Rockin' All Over The World"). They've got a name for that and it's not very nice. Smacks of those service station "Best Ofs" with the small print that says 'some of these are rerecordings featuring 2 or more of the original band'.

Now you may want to hear ver Quo doing pub band version of Bobby Fuller, Elvis Costello(?), ELO, Bachman Turner Overdirve, Canned Heat etc. But why? The originals were better. Although "Born To Be Wild" is certainly different, there are some tasty additional Andy Bown keyboard flourishes and it was nice hearing a decently produced version of "Junior's Wailing". So why I am revewing this at all?

Two reasons. 1 - Well, get in early and it comes with a DVD featuring some 21st century footage of Quo doing what they do best. Live footage from TV shows and festivals of "Caroline", "Roll Over Lay Down", "4500 Times" and more. You can't go wrong with Quo live, even the ersatz version of today. And reason number 2? I only have to hear the opening chords of "Caroline" and I'm 14 years old again, in the balcony at the Glasgow Apollo, watching a single spotlight pick out Rick Parfitt about to have the time of my pubescent life. Rock and/or roll!

Oh, and actually, there is a 3rd reason. The rear sleeve. After all, what's wrong with being sexy:-)

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THE FLYING BURRITO BROS - The Red Album

Apparently 'recorded at a '76 Hollywood syudio party', this is the Hill / Guilbeau / Sneaky Pete / Ethridge / Gene Parsons lineup, probably from the archive of Gib Guilbeau who first put hose out in the USA (in a different cover collectorheads). Over 17 tracks this fairly lo-fi release actually manages to remind you of how good country rock can be. Granted, Joel Scott Hill doesn't have the fragility in his voice to carry classics like "Sin City", but on tougher material he sounds thoroughly at home.

There's always a suspicion when bands reform without their key members, but as the FBB had only been dormant for a couple of years, I was always happy to let that one slide, at least when there were sufficient 'actual' members to carry some validity. Which this lot do, having been resurrected in ’74 by two of the original members, Chris Ethridge (bass) and Sneaky Pete (pedal steel) along with ex-Byrd Gene Parsons (drums). There's also the bonus of some tasty pedal steel work from Sneaky Pete Kleinow, although I am at a loss to understand why some of these 'live' tracks fade out. Odd?

Whilst not a classic, those of partial to the glory years of the early 70s will lap this up. Take a listen to "Wheels" or "Hot Burrito #3" and you;ll know just what the fuss was all about, and why people like me still hark back to the days of yore.

http://www.corazong.com/

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JO McCAFFERTY – The 8 Year Gap

"The Eight Year Gap" is Ms McCafferty's new acoustic album. It's not really a follow up to "Radiaxial", rather it's a compilation of songs written and recorded in between her cassette only debut "Nothing Whispered To Katy" and the aforementioned "Radiaxial". Hence why you'll find some early versions of choons which turned up on the last CD (namely "Easier Said Than Done" and "Lady Day".

I first encountered Ms McCafferty in a support slot with Fish, soaring above the grotty hordes with a voice to die for, an aura of greatness, and songs to match. And while this isn't as essential as "Radiaxial" (go buy now), it will become essential once you know what you're missing, and need another fix.

Chock full of the emotional intensity of a real woman, this hints at some of the greats of the singer/songwriter genre withou being beholden to any. If you're looking for highlights then head for "Aphrodite Calls", one of the finest songs you will hear, ever. It's that good. So do what you're told. Go got some, then go again.

http://www.jomccafferty.com

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Pounding The World Like A Battering Ram - Rapid Fire Singles Roundup

THE WHITE STRIPES - The Hardest Button To Button

Hard to take seriously now that Jack is heading rapidly up his own ass, but this is one of the better numbers from the "Elephant" album. Meg drives it along with her primal I don't know how to drum but if I hit it often enough it might just work stylee, and for a moment it all makes sense. And how happy am I to get the words Meg and ass into the same review. Yes, that happy slobberfans.

THE CORAL - Bill McCai

Isn't this the same jangly sub Byrds song they've been singing for over a year now? Are they just releasing it under a different name? Mind you, I did like "Boy At The Window", all off key Peter Hammill soundalikey. Nice. Even "Nosferatu" was quite swirly left bank in its accordioness. Which means I'll give it foive. And yes pedantic Coral fans, I know it's not actually an accordian.

KATIE MELUA - The Closest Thing To Crazy

Allegedly this years Norah Jones, although of course they share little in common bar a raven haired loveliness. Hard as I try I can't quite shake off the scary spectre of Mike Batt hovering over her shoulder, so I can only actually listen to one choon here, "Downstairs To The Sun". And rather splendid it is too, all teenage angst to a plaintive acoustic backing. Sixth form and all the better for it.

MUSE - Hysteria

Riff, riff, shriek, shriek, aliens are running round the inside of my head, and this is the noise they are making. Madder than a very mad thing getting a bit mad on a a mad, mad day. The best riff by far on the album, complete with crazed squeaky guitar solo. The angry Radiohead for people with taste. "Eternally Missed", the B side is the feeling of an army of ants marching through your veins. Be afraid.

THE RAPTURE - Sister Saviour

The eighties were only good for one thing and I can't quite remember what it was due to the chemicals that were coursing through me at the time. It might have been this. "Rapture" by Blondie sung by David Byrne from Talking Heads doing an impersonation of John Inman, a bit crazy but rather splendid. Of the 2 remixes the Black Strobe remix is very Pet Shop Boys, which is meant as a good thing.