Ol Rag Blues

Never that keen myself. Couldn't really say why though. 

The extended 12" version had a nice, if brief, instrumental break in it which I thought improved matters but the entire Back To Back album I've always thought was poor. And yet it spawned 4 hit singles. Maybe that was it. Maybe it was all too radio friendly and light for my tastes.

The version with Alan's vocals doesn't improve it but neither does it detract. Just all a bit bland really.

I remember I liked it at the time, and still do. But I was expecting a bit more power from them. It was the NWBHM and I was enjoying all those bands so much morde than SQ. It was the beginning of my wilderness years (which took decades).

I've always liked it &, upon hearing Alan's vocals I couldn't see the merit in Francis doing the single version - didn't seem to make a big difference to the song, imo

I think to be fair the B2B era wasn't really the start of Quo's relationship with producing radio friendly hits, but I totally get what you mean mate.

I think possibly we have to rewind back to the single Rockin all over the world for the start of radio friendly hits, I remember both my parents liking that song, and they hated the heavier songs I used to play from Quo like Big fat Mama or something, but certain Quo hits they really did like, which indicates quite a large percentage of Quo's output has catered towards the ears that likes the softer side of music. Those ear worms that Quo are so good at making.

I think they call them guilty pleasures, and Quo have made them in abundance.

I think looking at the bigger picture, Quo's graph if there was one has been quite a varied style, like the very early Quo with Pictures of matchstick men which kicked started their success, then the fantastic Frantic Four era with the classics like Roll over lay down etc, then further down the line we had the hic ups with Marguerita Time, the cover albums, Restless, etc. That said some classics have been born from then and now. I really thought Quid pro Quo was amazing, especially tracks like Two way traffic, which is ironic in a way because we know Quo can deliver the goods. But there has been some embarrassment in Bula Quo, and the acoustic albums, just dreadful really.
Big mixed bag if you ask me.

I like it still, doesn’t matter (to me) who’s singing it - feckin’ awful album though.

Dreadfull,akin to watching a great band drown in their own lethargy and indifference.

Good god they had lost their drive at this point.

Moments of wonderfull stuff since yet never quite the same.