Album review : STATUS QUO – SQ (Official Archive Series Vol1 – 2CDs)

earMUSIC [Release date 11.08.23]

For SQ’s new live album it all began with the ‘Beginning Of The End’.

That single, released in 2007, sparked an idea that has only now seen the bright light of day.

It was a foretaste of this 2CD Official Archive Series Volume 1 – Live In Amsterdam, released 11 August.

The gig, recorded on The Netherlands leg of the band’s 2010 “Pictures Exposed World Tour” has been remixed and remastered by the label’s Go To Guy, Eike Freese (sometime guitarist with Kai Hansen’s bands). Freese’s reputation goes far and wide, recording and producing artists as Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Helloween and Lynyrd Skynyrd at his Chamelon Studios in Hamburg.

The reissue / remaster story belongs to Quo more than any other UK rock band, essentially the story of post-2010 Quo. Recognition that there was and still is a growing appetite among a more affluent demographic for seeing the band live. And that has switched the focus away from your old fashioned album/single toward your actual rock concert.

And the only way to remind you of how great the gig was… buy the Live album.

This one is worth shelling out for whether you were there or not. 21 tracks across 2 CDs, and every one deserves to be here, and while each may not be a killer cut, this collection is chocka with truly outstanding compositions.

So while we luxuriate in electric and electrifying live renditions of ‘Something ‘Bout You Baby’ and ‘Roll Over Lay Down’, not forgetting a jaw-dropping version of ‘Mean Girl’, we also get the opportunity to devote more of our attention to the perfect pop-boogie of ‘Caroline’ and of course to the late Rick Parfitt’s major songwriting contributions to the Quo cannon, ‘Living On An Island’ and ‘Rain’.

No question, Quo clearly found its groove that night in The Netherlands, confirmation – if any were needed – that this band gains in stature in the live arena, delivering often underrated rock’n’roll. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

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

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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 20 October 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 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 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)