Album review: 10cc – Tenology
Universal/Mercury [Release date 19.11.12]
It’s about time 10cc’s excellent back catalogue got a decent airing. Up to now all we’ve really had is a set of distinctly average re-masters. That is, with the exception of the release of their classic Sheet Music album on Repertoire Records where the sound quality was second to none.
Now, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their formation, and just in time for Christmas, we’ve got the obligatory box set, wrapped in Storm Studios (Hipgnosis) packaging. Unfortunately due to the Scrooge like nature of the record company we’re unable to pass comment on the artwork, the 100 page hardback booklet, or indeed, the dvd that includes promo videos, TV and live performances.
But what you’ll get if you invest is two cds that chronologically chart the band’s 32 singles issued between 1972 and 1992, although all the ‘best’ stuff is on disc one that covers Donna (1972) to People in Love (1977), and everything in between. It’s a treasure trove – Rubber Bullets. The Dean And I, The Worst Band In The World, Wall Street Shuffle, Life Is A Minestrone, I’m Not In Love, The Things We Do For Love and many, many, more indispensables.
Disc 3 again focuses on that glorious 1973 to 1976 period, bringing together huge chunks of the album tracks that made up the balance of Sheet Music, The Original Soundtrack, and How Dare You as well as a clutch of the better tracks off Deceptive Bends and Bloody Tourists – the albums that followed the departure of Godley and Crème, while disc 4 is probably the least essential, but one that will appeal to anoraks – the single B-sides from 1972 – 1978. But frankly, it’s little surprise none made it onto their long playing parents.
Some will argue that it would have been better to include the complete albums from Sheet Music through to How Dare You, but then you can’t keep everybody happy all of the time. Certainly, there’s enough marvellous material here to put a smile on the face of even the most ardent of fans.
The good news is that the re-mastering is as good as we’ve heard so far. But’s what unclear (without sight of the finished product credits) is whether Tenology has been sourced from the original master tapes. I have my doubts, and if that’s the case, then given the studio perfectionism of Messrs Godley, Crème, Stewart and Gouldman, it’s overdue. But in the meantime, Tenology is as good as it gets. Timeless, and quite wonderful. *****
Review by Pete Whalley
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
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 on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections