Disco de Nazareth: “Exercises”

Nazareth's second album, is kind-of out of place, being released between their harder rocking debut album and their pioneering heavy metal breakthrough Razamanaz. The songs on this album are mostly acoustic ditties like "Cat's Eye, Apple Pie" and "Fool About You" with some semi-hard blues rock thrown in "Woke Up This Morning." There is also one of the most definitive angry-atheist statements ever in "I Will Not Be Led." The album's sound is somewhat comparible to Led Zeppelin III, but not as good or even as varied. Manny Charlton's guitar work is excellent throughout, and Dan McCafferty's voice is less ripping as in later releases. The Les Paul guitar tones, especially on "Madelaine", are reminiscent of Steve Hackett's work with Genesis. In fact this whole album sounds like a mixture of early Genesis songs (like "Happy the Man"),Led Zeppelin III's acoustic parts, acoustic Jethro Tull, and Nazareth's debut. Overall, mostly of interest to serious Nazareth fans and those interested in early "70's British rock.

Following the release of their debut album, which didn't sell as well as it should of, Nazareth decided to make a more mellow, laid-back album. The result was absolutely incredible. Despite what anyone may tell you, this album is a masterpiece. Definitely on par with the debut, perhaps better (although it's a tough call).

"I Will Not Be Led" features atheistic lyrics and a moody atmosphere complemented by some orchestration. Good song. "Cat's Eye, Apple Pie" is a great harmonica-driven tune that can instantly make you feel good when you're down. Love that one. "In My Life" is the weakest song on the album, but it's not without it's charm. "Woke Up This Morning" is a cool little tune with a great beat. Of course, the lyrics are silly and hilarious, but it was just something the band did for fun. "Fool About You" will stick in your head for a long time, I guarantee it. An awesome acoustic rocker with a brilliant vocal melody. Very addictive song. And now comes the moment of truth - "Madelaine". I don't know what to say, except that this might be the most beautiful, moving, painfully emotional ballad that was ever put on record. I kid you not. It's impossible for me to listen to this song without shedding a tear. The sadness of it just completely overwhelms you. Depressing? Yes, but unbelievably emotional. It starts out with Manny's plaintive slide guitar moans, then Dan starts comes in with the most heart-breaking vocals that I've ever heard in my life. You have to hear the guy sing this. I'm telling you - there's NO WAY that you'd believe this is the same guy who'd sing "Hair Of The Dog" three years later. Sounds like a completely different singer. I definitely rank this among the top ten ballads of ALL TIME. You just have to hear it. I challenge anyone who's ever been in love to listen to this without crying their eyes out.

Likewise, "Sad Song" is also incredibly moving, almost as much as "Madelaine". Another divine vocal performance from Dan. God, these guys are just amazing. "Love, Now You're Gone" is another great ballad, though not quite as stunning as those other two. And the album closer, "1692 (Glencoe Massacre)", is an eerie story about the tragedies of war (I still don't know if there really was a massacre in 1692, or if the band just made it up). But anyway, the guitar riff/vocal melody is very hypnotizing, perfectly balanced by the military-esque drum patterns from Darrell Sweet. And great lyrics, too.

Yet another underrated masterpiece from my boys. When the hell are these albums gonna be available in America? Naz fans are waiting!

once again another great opening track, followed by some catch celtic style folk ballads. I love heavy nazareth, but some of this softer, more native sounding songs are really good. Most tunes on here you would not think of as being by nazareth, which is good in my eyes. I like going through a bands catalog, and enjoying a wide range of styles. This is one band that had many styles, and at least part of each style was very very good. Why they never made it huge, i dont know.

What many people consider a welcome change nowadays, I don't think people were quite thinking the same thing back in the day. You see, Nazareth decided to make a more mellow-sounding album with more focus on songwriting instead of on rocking out and having fun, which makes this album CLEARLY much different from everything else the band ever did.

Luckily the band members were more than capable of coming up with some good sing-along tunes. They must have known there was more to their talents than just having fun and partying with hard rock music all the time, because changing direction for a temporary period in order to release one album that's softer and different from everything else they did required a LOT of guts. This change in style could have either made or broke them. Songs like "Love Now You're Gone" reveal a talent for mellow vocal melody-dominated songs, and some of the other songs in the beginning of the album almost veer toward straight-up country rock (similar to Poco or something). The only letdown is a song called "Woke up this Morning" which is HORRIBLE!

Not the album to buy if you're looking for early hard rock, but definitely an album to buy if you're looking for solid songwriting skills and great early 70's vibes.

The first CD was worth one star for its opening track. The second effort "Exercises" gets two stars for another great opening track "I Will Not Be Led" and two great country ditties "Cat's Eye" and "Fool About You"

Alas, "I will not be led" could have been really great but misguided use of the dreaded fuzz box effect on the guitar really dates this tune. The two country songs mentioned above are very fun if somewhat silly and have great bouncy acoustic guitar strumming by Manny. However if you are looking for a "razamanaz" style tune in this collection you will be sorely disapointed!!

The band was obviously struggling with its musical direction on the first two albums and thankfully Roger Glover from Deep Purple saved the day by producing their next album "Razamanaz" and the hard rockers never looked back, and that is the place to start your collection!