BGO [Release date 16.10.26]

Legendary Scottish rockers Nazareth, who are still touring, formed from the ashes of 60s ballroom cover band The Shadettes, and released their debut album through Pegasus in 1971.

Although it took them an album or two to really make their mark, the 70s saw a great deal of success, both in the charts and on stage, with their gritty bluesy hard rock. Their cover of Love Hurts was a worldwide hit. And this collection sums up that period as well as any. Fans will know how good the 80s and 90s were too, albeit more polished, but that’s a whole other story.

So across two CDs we get over 40 tracks, hits and (through b-sides) some deeper cuts, every track work your ears without exception. A well annotated booklet a bonus. The original line-up, which remained the core throughout the 70s, featured vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnue and drummer Darrell Sweet. Whiskey soaked and gravelly vocals, with a strong range, a mean guitar that often added a touch of slide, and one of the most underrated rock rhythm sections around.

Disc 1 kicks off with 1972’s ‘Dear John’, from the debut, and with some uplifting piano is a nice rock’n’roll number, a good opener, backed with ‘Friends’, then there’s an excellent cover of ‘Morning Due’, and (featuring a cello) the more Beale-esque ‘If You See My Baby’. A good start. But it was 1973’s Razamanaz album (and signing to Mooncrest), and the production talents of Deep Purple’s Roger Glover (with whom they’d previously toured) that the world exploded. The two singles from that album, ‘Bad Bad Boy’ and ‘Broken Down Angel’ (the former with some exceptional slide guitar) sold well and put Nazareth on the Main Stage. Every home should own these two tracks.

The next two albums Loud’n’Proud and Rampant seem glossed over with the singles ‘This Flight Tonight’ (a formidable cover of the Joni Mitchell classic) and ‘Shanghai’d In Shanghai’, but these tracks will blow away any cobwebs, brighten up any room. And at the tail end of 1974 we got the cover ‘Love Hurts’. Originally recorded as an extra for the Hair Of The Dog album (released 1975, now with guitarist Manny Charlton producing), intended as a single b-side, but it was released as an A-side, became a world-wide hit, and was added to the album in some territories. This track became synonymous with Dan McCafferty’s legendary delivery. The album’s title track was a single too. The band wanted to call it Son Of A Bitch, the label refused, so a play on words ‘Heir Of A Dog’ saw the new title. Classic stuff.

Then the non album single ‘My White Bicycle’, another cover that Nazareth stamped their own mark on, a great version and was added to the original Greatest Hits. Mid to late 70s, and in the face of punk, the albums Play’n’ The Game and Close Enough For Rock’n’Roll made less waves, and are oft considered less ‘Raw’. Even so, with singles like ‘Carry Out Feelings’, ‘You’re The Violin, ‘I Don’t Want To Go On Without You’ and ‘Somebody To Roll’, there was some very fine tracks. Perhaps bluesier in a gentler way, but well worth investigation. The best track of the era, ‘Telegram’, later appeared as a b-side. 1977’s Expect No Mercy upped the octane level. ‘Gone Dead Train’ and ‘Place In Your Heart’ were rawer, uptempo yet still radio friendly, and b-side ‘Kentucky Fried Blues’ a rough heavy bluesy number, the band were back on track.

1979 and Nazareth were joined by Sensational Alex Harvey Band guitarist Zal Cleminson, who beefed things up and added an extra dimension to No Mean City. ‘Whatever You Want Babe’ and the ballad ‘Star’ two great singles. Then disc 2 closes with ‘Holiday’/’Ship Of Dreams’, taken from 1980’s Malice In Wonderland. A sleeker more commercial sound, with Zal still on board, but essential listening all the same. I know there’s a plethora of compilations out there, most now out of print, and this serves as a good and structured entry to the band that has a huge and wonderful catalogue. And by sticking to the UK commercial releases, you get decade’s highlights in a solid bitesize 2CD.

From 1991 to 2001 I ran the band’s fanclub; if you wish to investigate the wider catalogue, do so here ****

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 20 September 2026.

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Power Plays w/c 12 October 2026

TAKEDA – Lion’s Den (Drongo Records)
SCARDUST – Symphony (Frontiers)
AMBERLIN – Gravity (Rude Records/Equal Vision Records)
MISSING TOYS – Lifeline (Pride & Joy Music)
SWEET GORILLA – It’s Your Life (5000 Records)
ROYAL BLOOD – Dead Company (Warner Records)

Featured Albums w/c 12 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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