ant
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Quo covers & more https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfcyZng8z03-RpOhdWdawvw
Posts: 626
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Post by ant on Aug 28, 2022 9:31:58 GMT
Love this album - my favourite Quo album. Probably because they had to stretch themselves to make some non-conforming (to the image) songs fit. It pushed the boundaries and the boundaries didn't break(??!? wtf!) Ilove the way that Carol speeds up shortly after the start. That would never be released after the introduction of digital recording.
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Post by sqcollector on Aug 28, 2022 9:45:31 GMT
That would never be released after the introduction of digital recording. That's simply not true. They sped up because they were recording live in studio without a click track. This doesn't have to do with digital recording. They could record in analog with a click track (as they did both later and earlier, just like tons of other bands did before and after 1981). And if you're talking about quantization, that just came in much later than when digital recording started. And it's just a tool; doesn't mean that everyone recording in digital needs to use it. Personally, I don't like the use of quantization. I prefer a more natural playing sound, whether they used a click track or not (because even with a click track, it can have a human feel, of course). But don't blame digital recording lol
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Post by fretbuzzzzz on Aug 28, 2022 9:52:51 GMT
I thought it could throw some light on the background to NTL and JS if I re-post an old post of mine from when JS had been album of the month... "As far as I know, the plan from the very outset had been to record enough material in Dublin for 2 albums. Contractual reasons mainly. Mixed feelings within the band about this and not everyone being keen on the idea. Francis possibly had more material to bring to the table at this point in time and it made sense to him to use studio time in this way.
They had a certain amount of studio time to do this. No specific album names had been decided upon at this time and if the tracking/recording stage had gone to plan then it is possible that the JS and NTL albums could have been quite different in terms of tracks and running orders.
The main set back had been that Rick had managed to burn his fingers with a cigar. He had been on a night out with Lizzy's Scott Gorham. Back in his room and and he fell asleep with the cigar still in his hand. Ended up with burns and needing medical help.
This meant that the band had to stop laying down further tracks at this point and had no choice but to continue without Rick and just concentrate on doing overdubs on the basic tracks they had already put to tape. With time constraints this is how certain tracks became the ones that became the JS album. The tracks had just advanced more through these circumstances. Rick later recovered to continue working on further tracks.
With Francis taking on the vocal duties on the tracks on NTL it was destined to sound 'different' to JS in some respects. Overdubs continued later at Rossi's studio and at Rick's studio. 'Riverside' was essentially Rossi/Frost's baby and made it on to the NTL album quite late in the day".
Just to add, I'm fairly sure Something 'bout You Baby and Carol had been recorded at Rick's home studio.
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matt
Veteran Rocker Rollin'
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Post by matt on Aug 28, 2022 12:25:12 GMT
My fave Quo album. Period
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Post by Victor on Aug 28, 2022 12:27:37 GMT
This past week has been revisiting the opening 80s trio; JS, NTL and 1982. Collectively while not in the same strata for many (including me) of the 1970-1976 period, the three albums put forward contain quite the quotient of quality tracks, minimal filler, and even hints at maturing/adapting the sound to a new era. JS was the first full studio album I had from Quo, and all these years later I still rate it and enjoy returning to it. Poppier than the 70s but pop melodies built into still quality songwriting. Yes, even the backing vox, the helium delirium of Frost. JS wouldn't have a skippable track for me. NTL is hard hitting, but also melodic. Carol and SBYBIL are excellent covers, respectively raucous and swaggering. Almost the full Side 2 (Long Ago - Riverside) is as good a side of Quo as any other besides some of the early classics. Long Ago being the only track not quite at the same level. The run from ML to Riverside is wonderful; an 18 or so minute suite of compelling Quo rock'n'roll. The title track & Falling Off are decent, not entirely essentials, but Take Me Away is the gem of the originals on Side 1. Overall a very strong album, alike JS before it. For me it may not pack quite the same visceral punch or scale the same heights as their greatest era, the WYW to NTL (or even 1982) era is absolutely worthy on it's own merit as perhaps the second most important era of their catalogue. This !
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Aug 28, 2022 15:19:53 GMT
Seeing this old thread made me listen to the album today, very enjoyable!
There's nothing to dislike,just a few small annoyances (drum machine on don't stop me now) and the high pitch backing vocals
For me this is more enjoyable than wyw, rockin, heat and js
Others have said things like "there's only take me away id put on a playlist". And yes it isn't full of classics, but it all slots together great as an album
And credit to Andy. Of all Quo's albums, I'd argue this was his best contribution.
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Post by blagult on Aug 28, 2022 15:25:03 GMT
NTL is a brilliant album. It was a very clever and bang up to date album. Non of the Run to Mummy stuff. Every track for me is a belter. Out if all the post 76 albums this one made QUO sound more relevant rather than old hat. And Carol just blows away Bye Bye Johnny…fact.
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Post by freewilly on Aug 28, 2022 21:32:08 GMT
If an album like NTL was made post 1984, the fanbase would have been raving...
Problem with it IMO, people judge it against the output between 1970 and 1977
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roquer
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Post by roquer on Aug 29, 2022 15:09:32 GMT
There's nothing to dislike,just a few small annoyances (drum machine on don't stop me now) and the high pitch backing vocals The Drum machines: The start of the 80s I guess. High pitch backing vocals: Product of the white powders that they were addicted at the time. I have a friend who is sound engineer, and he told me that when a musician/producer is on coke, he tend to prefer the higher notes. When he is on heroin, tend to prefer the lower notes. I believe what he said. Just check when the higher vocals started (Between WYW-JS) and when they dissapear (RTYD).
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Aug 29, 2022 15:31:51 GMT
There's nothing to dislike,just a few small annoyances (drum machine on don't stop me now) and the high pitch backing vocals The Drum machines: The start of the 80s I guess. High pitch backing vocals: Product of the white powders that they were addicted at the time. I have a friend who is sound engineer, and he told me that when a producer/producer is on coke, he tend to prefer the higher notes. When he is on heroin, tend to prefer the lower notes. I believe what he said. Just check when the higher vocals started (Between WYW-JS) and when they dissapear (RTYD). Really interesting Although it started on BFY and made one final appearance on Thirsty Work! 🍻👍
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Post by markquo on Aug 29, 2022 16:51:27 GMT
For me definitely the last truly great Quo album.Don’t really listen to any Quo these days,but think I’ll have to go back and listen again.TMA is Rossi’s greatest guitar work IMO.The solo sends shivers down my spine . Cheers
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roquer
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Post by roquer on Aug 29, 2022 20:12:43 GMT
The Drum machines: The start of the 80s I guess. High pitch backing vocals: Product of the white powders that they were addicted at the time. I have a friend who is sound engineer, and he told me that when a musician/producer is on coke, he tend to prefer the higher notes. When he is on heroin, tend to prefer the lower notes. I believe what he said. Just check when the higher vocals started (Between WYW-JS) and when they dissapear (RTYD). Really interesting Although it started on BFY and made one final appearance on Thirsty Work! 🍻👍 When I was writing that, I thought of Ring of a Change, hard drugs were part of BLY, no doubt, I don't know what happen exactly with speed, but maybe similar thing yes. But Thirsty Work? Don't remember higher background vocals, but those horrible synth, yep.
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Aug 29, 2022 20:23:44 GMT
Really interesting Although it started on BFY and made one final appearance on Thirsty Work! 🍻👍 When I was writing that, I thought of Ring of a Change, hard drugs were part of BLY, no doubt, I don't know what happen exactly with speed, but maybe similar thing yes. But Thirsty Work? Don't remember higher background vocals, but those horrible synth, yep. Confidence from TW I reckon its only Rain where the high backing vocals really work
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tqontq
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Post by tqontq on Aug 30, 2022 11:04:07 GMT
NTL is a brilliant album. It was a very clever and bang up to date album. Non of the Run to Mummy stuff. Every track for me is a belter. Out if all the post 76 albums this one made QUO sound more relevant rather than old hat. And Carol just blows away Bye Bye Johnny…fact. Exactly my thoughts. It is 1981 Quo and not 1975 Quo. It was crafted perfectly for the early 80s'. When I heard it I thought this is exactly how I imagined Quo to transform into the new decade. They just sounded fresh and relevant and still on fire and that counts for a lot in the music industry. If only they kept that going but then they turned 90 degrees the wrong way with 1982 and never came back. Top album for me with some truly killer tracks.
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