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Post by 4th Chord on Aug 8, 2018 11:49:23 GMT
Of QPQ and ISOTFC, I prefer ISOTFC. I find QPQ relentless. I think the only track I still like is Dust to Gold, from memory. But I will say no more until we get to that album thread. Me too, but they're rather close in my perception. ISOTFC definitely has more interesting and varied textures. As for NTL, I know I'll get attacked for this but to me it says a lot about how Quo would have developed if Alan had become the de facto leader. To me, his contributions had become really substandard by this point, and I can't see how Quo would have turned out better with more of that. I mean, what exactly was he trying to do with Mountain Lady? I really can't wrap my head around that song. There were certainly issues with Francis' (eventually) chosen direction, but I daresay it was a reason why the band survived the hard times. At least until the late 80s. I think ML is a cracking track!
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Post by Victor on Aug 8, 2018 11:52:26 GMT
Me too, but they're rather close in my perception. ISOTFC definitely has more interesting and varied textures. As for NTL, I know I'll get attacked for this but to me it says a lot about how Quo would have developed if Alan had become the de facto leader. To me, his contributions had become really substandard by this point, and I can't see how Quo would have turned out better with more of that. I mean, what exactly was he trying to do with Mountain Lady? I really can't wrap my head around that song. There were certainly issues with Francis' (eventually) chosen direction, but I daresay it was a reason why the band survived the hard times. At least until the late 80s. I think ML is a cracking track! Me too ! Absolutely love that song !
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Aug 8, 2018 11:53:25 GMT
If you've not listened for some time, be really interesting to see what you make of it. Here are the song writing credits. Thanks - I had no idea the songwriting was such a team effort. You'd never know Rick was behind Enough is Enough. I'd assumed falling in falling out was a rossi/frost number. Also had no idea DSMN was Alan's song (for some reason assumed Rick had written it)
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Post by curiousgirl on Aug 8, 2018 12:32:51 GMT
I suppose MrWaistcoat, we'll never know for sure if they are accurate or there for royalties. But also the spread surprised me too.
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Post by curiousgirl on Aug 8, 2018 12:58:42 GMT
Of QPQ and ISOTFC, I prefer ISOTFC. I find QPQ relentless. I think the only track I still like is Dust to Gold, from memory. But I will say no more until we get to that album thread. Me too, but they're rather close in my perception. ISOTFC definitely has more interesting and varied textures. As for NTL, I know I'll get attacked for this but to me it says a lot about how Quo would have developed if Alan had become the de facto leader. To me, his contributions had become really substandard by this point, and I can't see how Quo would have turned out better with more of that. I mean, what exactly was he trying to do with Mountain Lady? I really can't wrap my head around that song. There were certainly issues with Francis' (eventually) chosen direction, but I daresay it was a reason why the band survived the hard times. At least until the late 80s. Agreed on the variety of textures in ISOTFC which is why I enjoy it more. Interesting view on Alan's musical direction but not sure I'd agree with it because I'm not convinced that one track is enough to make that call. I think I'd have to take the other songs of this period into account to answer that. On Just Supposing I love Over The Edge and The Wild Ones. They feel right for Quo. I've listened again to Mountain Lady (twice - do I get a gold star??) and I'm less of a fan than 4th or Victor but as a good friend of mine will often say, "I don't mind it." I'm trying to work out what I don't really engage with. It could be the production. Or it could be that I want Alan to sing it and not Francis. Or the tinny ( technical term ) guitar sound at the start annoys me. Oh, and there's this electric string/synth sound on it which is not my taste at all. I expect if it had the John Eden remix, like he did for RAOTW, I would love it. And in terms of the overall production sound that would have been a group decision? I'll have to reread that John Eden interview to see if he gives us clues as to that. Alan, like Rick and Francis, had his softer, melodic side. What about Blue For You and Ease Your Mind ? I really love those tracks but I'm sure they are "skippers" (to quote Mrs Flittersnoop) for other fans. So I have no idea where Alan's musical direction would be for the band. Heavy, for sure. But you have every right to wonder what it might be and post that here. As I've already said, what I hear in NTL is far less guitar interplay on these tracks which is still there more on Just Supposing (sorry Victor its hard not to compare ). And that may simply be the selection of tracks. And if they'd put other tracks from JS on NTL, this thought might not have entered my head. We know, because Francis, has revealed this, that QPQ was recorded by each musician separately. So I think its much harder to recreate that guitar interplay which for me is Quo's USP with Spud in the drums to ensure a good shuffle beat.
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Post by paradiseflats on Aug 8, 2018 12:59:11 GMT
Long journey today...
Think I will pop it onto the Death deck...
See what thoughts I have...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 13:12:09 GMT
When I first listened to the album I remember being slightly disapointed but still enjoying most of the album, that's still pretty much my feelings today, it's not one that gets put on the turntable for a spin that often. It really shows though the difference between the writing partnerships of Rossi/Young and Rossi/Frost, one for the most part producing gold, the other sliding rapidly into pop/country mediocrity and tweeness.
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Post by frozenhero on Aug 8, 2018 13:39:30 GMT
If you've not listened for some time, be really interesting to see what you make of it. Here are the song writing credits. Thanks - I had no idea the songwriting was such a team effort. You'd never know Rick was behind Enough is Enough. I'd assumed falling in falling out was a rossi/frost number. Also had no idea DSMN was Alan's song (for some reason assumed Rick had written it) According to Francis, Rick had nothing to do with Enough is Enough. Probably a case of him not getting enough royalties because he only co-wrote two songs...
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Post by frozenhero on Aug 8, 2018 13:56:17 GMT
Interesting view on Alan's musical direction but not sure I'd agree with it because I'm not convinced that one track is enough to make that call. I think I'd have to take the other songs of this period into account to answer that. On Just Supposing I love Over The Edge and The Wild Ones. They feel right for Quo. I've listened again to Mountain Lady (twice - do I get a gold star??) and I'm less of a fan than 4th or Victor but as a good friend of mine will often say, "I don't mind it." I'm trying to work out what I don't really engage with. It could be the production. Or it could be that I want Alan to sing it and not Francis. Or the tinny ( technical term ) guitar sound at the start annoys me. Oh, and there's this electric string/synth sound on it which is not my taste at all. I expect if it had the John Eden remix, like he did for RAOTW, I would love it. And in terms of the overall production sound that would have been a group decision? I'll have to reread that John Eden interview to see if he gives us clues as to that. Alan, like Rick and Francis, had his softer, melodic side. What about Blue For You and Ease Your Mind ? I really love those tracks but I'm sure they are "skippers" (to quote Mrs Flittersnoop) for other fans. So I have no idea where Alan's musical direction would be for the band. Heavy, for sure. But you have every right to wonder what it might be and post that here. As I've already said, what I hear in NTL is far less guitar interplay on these tracks which is still there more on Just Supposing (sorry Victor its hard not to compare ). And that may simply be the selection of tracks. And if they'd put other tracks from JS on NTL, this thought might not have entered my head. We know, because Francis, has revealed this, that QPQ was recorded by each musician separately. So I think its much harder to recreate that guitar interplay which for me is Quo's USP with Spud in the drums to ensure a good shuffle beat. Well, it's always more complicated than one thinks at first. I actually like Blue for You and Ease Your Mind too - those are simple, down-to-earth, honest songs. With Mountain Lady Alan was trying something that (IMO) didn't work. Not sure what it exactly is that annoys me about the song, but it just rubs me the wrong way. As for the other tracks... I'm not super crazy about Over the Edge and I think The Wild Ones is also a bit of an uncomfortable fit for the band. As for the band's general direction... I dunno. It's just my impression that, after WYW, many of their hard rock songs suddenöy started sounding a lot more generic (and forced). People complain about country but it was always an element of Quo's sound (Claudie, Fine Fine Fine) and I'm not really hearing a lot of it on JS/NTL. Of course I would've preferred it if they had continued to write and perform in the vein of WYW and the older 70s albums.
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Post by charles on Aug 8, 2018 15:19:38 GMT
Mountain Lady is a lovely song, one of their best.
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Aug 8, 2018 19:07:05 GMT
Perhaps 30 years or more since I listened to this properly! Don't know why I left it so long, probably because I played it to death when it came out. This was my first Quo album bought with my own cash, I was about 10. So it's always been a favourite.
As a kid I loved the heaviness of it, and the fact it was pure rock from start to finish.
The title track was great to hear again. Mature and original, hinting at a serious side and a credible new direction. Good band performance, with better drumming than was ever heard again on later albums.
Was gonna skip SYBIL (yes, I'm sick of the crap live version) but I'd forgotten the weird guitar intro with "a 1, 2, 3, 4", and it took me back and made me remember how I used to feel. I remembered how I worshiped the video. And the song, well it thumps along with swagger and cool, and is heavier than I'd remembered. It's a great single, still sounding fresh today. Enjoyed it a lot.
TMA - a song that I have listened to over the years. Probably for me the last truly classic Quo song.
Falling in - interesting one this. This is the closest to filler the album has. I never used to notice the keyboards, but they are slightly annoying to me now. (Perhaps dated?). There's loads of fairly similar later songs (eg still searching for caroline), but here with the old engine room, it packs a punch that the later recordings didn't. Played through a decent system (not your laptop!), this has an enjoyable riff throughout....and rocks.
Carol - superb version. Fantastic solo. Francis really on form throughout
Long Ago - as with the title track and TMA, this hinted of fresh directions that never materialized. Great song. Luckily, the dodgy backing vocals don't spoil it for me.
Never much liked ML. WTF is it all about? What's a ML??! Always thought it was just about ok. I liked it more today than I used to, but can take or leave it. Again, a nice mature new sound...pleasing instrumental sections, perhaps a bit ploddy at times. Will listen some more.
Love the way it goes crash bang into DTMN. Great song, always really enjoyed it. Just simple rock, much like o-baby is also simple rock. Doesn't sound like an Alan song. Good use of keyboards to create heaviness rather than poppiness. Again, the band found a great new sound with this. Still sounds fresh
Enough is enough is short, punchy and direct. It rocks hard, it sounds great. It feels a bit like it's Francis signing off, but at least he was honest about it! Help me out please somebody - what instrument is used on the solo? This song is just SO Quo, yet sounds like no other.
I can remember Riverside being a big thing at school with the Quo fans! It certainly used to make me extremely excited at loud volume, as so much of Quo's best music did. I can hear now that it has it's flaws, but like the rest of the album it rocks like ****. Those twin guitars...you know...the bit before the tempo slows....it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I heard it again after all this time.
Yes it's one dimensional. Yes it's a bit rough in places. Yes the use of keyboards is mixed. Yes the experimental backing vocals sound dated and don't really work. Yes there's no Rick or Alan singing.
So yes, I can see now that there's flaws. But it remains a hugely enjoyable album that hits the spot throughout. I would say this was the last Quo album that won them loyal new fans in large numbers. They had it all....a heavier new sound with an obvious attempt to tap into the then NWOBHM scene, while still getting away with a commercial hit single, and keeping most of the old fans onboard.
This might not be timeless and flawless in the way that the 71-76 stuff is. But it was built to last, and for me remains worthy of being called the bands last great album.
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Post by fretbuzzzzz on Aug 8, 2018 20:24:59 GMT
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Post by paradiseflats on Aug 8, 2018 20:29:16 GMT
Yes unlike the great Quo albums, Never too late was very much an album of its time. Keyboards too high and surely now they would think they simply sound weak and parpy.
ML one of my favourite later Quo songs. As I said about Stevie Nicks apparently.
Listening to the album today, I get it is a bit relentless. All about from Carol in a similar groove. It does lack light. Maybe Rock n Roll was better suited to it all along.Personal taste but always not keen on Carol. Never liked it live either.
It’s one of the few Quo albums where I remember the lyrics. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
I know little about the recording but some of the bass tones are so similar to Just Supposing.
For me one of Jo(nsa finest albums. It has a great groove.
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Post by fretbuzzzzz on Aug 8, 2018 21:15:07 GMT
The photos are from the Never Too Late/Just Supposin recording sessions.
Great idea to have an album of the month. NTL seems to divide opinions more than I thought it would.
Rossi's vocals were at their best and very recognisable for me at this time, complimenting the tracks. When considering what was to come later with the more pop-rock of 1982 and B2B, then it's clear Never Too Late had more outright rock credentials. More serious lyrics as well on a few tracks than perhaps expected on a Quo album.
Had concerns when Bob Young stepped away from the fold though JS and NTL had enough about them to keep me interested.
As has been mentioned the NWOBHM was in the ascendency at the time and NTL had a certain metallic brashness to keep up, as such. Rossi's more country orientated material was under lock and key.
The album lacks the balance and different flavours of the likes of On The Level but generally NTL holds up well today.
Alan was perhaps the more serious musician in the band at one time and he enjoyed listening to bands such as Pink Floyd and maybe why he was trying stuff out such as Mountain Lady with an eye on giving Quo more musical maturity and credibility. Clearly didn't work though for all fans.
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gav
Veteran Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 2,138
Favourite Quo Album: On The Level
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Post by gav on Aug 8, 2018 23:14:24 GMT
Always thought "mountain" lady was a metaphor for that unreachable or aloof female.
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