Album review : STATUS QUO – Official Archive Series Vol 2

earMUSIC [Release date 24.11.23]

World leading experts at mining their own back catalogue, Status Quo stake another claim with SQ Volume 2 (2 CDs/23 tracks).

It’s a 2012 gig, recorded live at the O2 Arena, on the “Quo Festive” tour.

In recording technology terms, that means it’s relatively new. And the sound quality is what it should be. Not pristine, not fresh off the shelf, but a little bit lived in, and yet there’s a machined precision to Quo’s delivery that emanates sparks, steam and kinetic energy.

It adds up to taut, tense and terrific entertainment, the type that provokes just-can’t-help-but-grin impulses.

When they crank up the guitars and amp up the bass and drum, the temperature rises and adrenaline flows. Live, it’s all about timing and setlists, and Quo have experienced a gig or two.

Slightly different versions of 8 of the 21 songs across these 2 CDs appeared on SQ Volume 1, a recording from a live gig in 2010. Clear evidence that the band know exactly which songs are the audience pleasers. ‘Caroline’, ‘In The Army Now, ‘Rain’, ‘Roll Over Lay Down’, ‘Down Down’, and so on – are all primed to build on the momentum achieved by the previous song. Professionals at work.

Half and hour or so in, they launch the ‘Proposin’ Medley’ – an 8 minute blast through 5 tracks – that sets the arena alight. The band’s performance manages that difficult balance between rehearsed precision, and freewheeling, blood pumping performance.

Equally, the same could be applied to the band’s big finish, ‘The Christmas Medley’. As we were saying, it’s all about timing. ****

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)