I loved this CD because it included cuts I had never heard before and preserved a period in the band's history when they all but disappeared, at least for me. The CD captures Slade after they have fallen from the pinnacle and the choice of songs ("My Baby Left Me", the defiant lyrics of "Be") reflects their struggles. "Mama" and "Noize" sound rushed, as if they are tired of playing old hits. The style is tighter and heavier than their glam sound, a glimpse of the heavy metal they would later adopt. Noddy Holder plays like ZZTop's Billy Gibbons (check out "One Eyed Jacks") and doesn't banter with the crowd as on Slade Alive Vol I. His playing is often better than lead guitarist Dave Hill's, though Hill's guitar work is much improved, despite hitting enough bum notes on the opening "Get On Up" to last a career.
For a lifelong fan, this CD closes a gap and presents a band soldiering on at their trade -- in working class tradition -- despite little chart success. Slade was a proper band and best heard live.
4.5 stars.
Since Amazon didn't list the 10 tracks on this Live set, here is what you get;
1 - Get On Up,
2 - Take Me Bak'Ome
3 - My Baby Left Me
4 - Be
5 - Mama Weer All Crazee Now
6 - Burnin' In the Heat of Love
7 - Everyday
8 - Gudbuy T'Jane
9 - One-Eyed Jacks (without Moustaches)
10- C'Mon Feel The Noize
You get 41 minutes of a wild, almost frantic onslaught from Slade recorded from a '76 USA and a '77 UK tour. Produced by Chas Chandler, the quality is excellent, the song transitions (mostly) smooth, and the feeling is that you are smack in the middle of all the wildness of a 70's Slade concert. When Noddy belts out a howling "Stand Up, Stand Up, Stand Up and Be Yourself!", you want to jump up and magically join the crowd. MC Slade then hits you with "Is Everyone Crazee?... Mama WE'RE ALL CRAZEE NOW!". Let the party begin - there's no stopping it.
The pace slows for a second, obviously shifting shows for a live set of Burnin' In The Heat Love. Check out the power guitars... this is Slade? Noddy brings it down a notch and makes it personal, with a heartfelt version of Everyday. He encourages the crowd to sing along and they have a grand time doing so. You're going to wish you were at this show!
Time to say Gudbuy T'Jane - the group brings it full speed with the guitars outfront and 4 minutes is just not long enough with a jam that should have went on all night - George Clinton where were you when we needed you? Maybe it was Chas' fault, just picking out the choice parts of this show... it does leave you begging for more.
But you do get more, One-Eyed Jacks smashes you in the mouth, a beer drinkin' hell raisin' rock'n roll party song that leads into a wild version of C'Mon Feel The Noize. Girls rock your boys!! If you're not up & dancing, check your pulse you may be dead.
Slade was known for their goofiness, from song misspellings to party lyrics, and for a phase Noddy had the worst bangs in Rock & Roll history. The running order of their songs were never the same as the album listed; hell-o sometimes a listed song never appeared on the vinyl at all. But they left you breathless, smiling on a bad day, and wanting more. They deserve a place next to the greatest UK bands, from the Beatles to T.Rex and Bowie's Ziggy Stardust.
If you somehow missed them, what a shame for you. Do a friend a favor, turn them on to the group called Slade. My friend (Mike) Stanley did, and I'll forever be in his debt. Take Me Back Home, mate!
I'm not a big fan of live albums.
I tend to listen to a handfull of them on a regular basis.
This album Rocks Hard and is one of those albums for me.
In fact, it sounds so good that I wonder how "live" it is!
Than again Slade was a killer live band..!
If you like to rock, it's well worth a listen!
Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact Us