Slade Album: “Beginnings/Play It Loud”

Slade's first two LP's did not sell very much but they do show, as one of the singles from the second album prophesizes, "The Shape of Things to Come". In fact, this foursome from the Midlands had been together about three years before they changed their name from the `N Between to Ambrose Slade to record their first album in the spring of 1969. Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell would take a couple of years to hone their hit making and stage demolishing craft before things started to explode in mid- 1971 with their first hit "Get Down and Get With It". This compilation combines Slade's first two records and is quite the bargain as `Beginnings' had long ago gone out of print and `Play It Loud' (their first as simply `Slade') had been available only as an import. `Beginnings' basically represented their stage act from 1967-1968 as it was mainly covers of the Beatles, Steppenwolf ("Born to Be Wild" and "Everybody's Next One"), Frank Zappa, the Moody Blues and The Amboy Dukes (with Ted Nugent). The band's first single "Genesis" would later be reworked as "Know Who You Are" which was a minor hit from `Play It Loud'. The second LP is the better of the two due to the inclusion of mostly originals ("Pouk Hill" which is a favorite), "See Us Here", "Dapple Rose", "One Way Hotel", "Dirty Joker" and "Sweet Box" (pretty funny!). "Wild Winds Are Blowing" and "Get Down and Get with It" are included on this single disc and with those songs the listener can see where Slade's style and success would be solidified. They would be better but Slade's opening two records show a great progression and as such are worth the purchase especially in this two for one compilation format.

This is definately one of those CDs that I got hooked on right after receiving it less than three months ago. I've lost count how many times I've played it already.

I'm not a SLADE know-it-all, but I've collected "classic rock" since the term was started [in the 80s?] and SLADE is one of the bands that can be addictive, just because their music is...."fun", what can I say.

Some good [even great] covers of other band's songs, especially THE IDLE RACE'S "Knocking Nails Into My House". I've been a fan of theirs for many years and SLADE'S version is just as good -- [perhaps even better?]

Anyway, with two original LPs on one CD [plus two bonus tracks] it's a great little chunk of British pop/rock from 40 years ago!!