Yes, I know. It’s yet another reissue of material that has been reissued before. Quo’s Pye material has seen so many releases over the years, but I was most intrigued by the prospect of this one after it was announced. Status Quo: The Early Years is a 5-disc set which shines a spotlight on the 60s era of the band.
Not everyone is a fan of this era, as it doesn’t have some of the hallmarks they would become known for from 1970 onwards. It would be easy to dismiss this material because it contains a couple of hits and plenty of misses, but there is so much more to discover. It is a time filled with much experimentation, memorable melodies, groovy organ and just a smidgen of phasing! It’s a band laying the groundwork for their later material, by doing their apprenticeship.
Disc One and Two:
CD1 contains the original mono mixes of the first two Quo albums; Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo (1968) and Spare Parts (1969). It features the singles Pictures of Matchstick Men, Black Veils of Melancholy, Ice in the Sun and Are You Growing Tired of My Love. While the two albums have been put onto one disc, there is a difference in style between them; Spare Parts features several tracks with string and horn sections. The album tracks, in my view, do not get the attention they deserve from fans. While it is clear the band is conforming to a trend of the moment, the likes of When My Mind is Not Live, Sunny Cellophane Skies, Face Without a Soul and So Ends Another Life are prime cuts of 60s Pop. Nothing at All, which closes the disc, is possibly one of the finest songs Francis Rossi has ever put his vocals on; The melancholic lyrics coupled with the uplifting way it builds into a final section are simply magic.
The production perhaps hasn’t aged well, but all of the working parts underneath still bring slices of joy.
My initial annoyance was that the albums weren’t featured on individual discs; For the moment when I feel like listening to just Spare Parts in my CD player without having to skip 12 tracks. I can understand the reasoning behind this decision, as the whole listening experience is taken into account. Imagine listening to an album only for it to appear to start again! I’m sure space was a factor too.
This fan much prefers the original mono mixes, the way they would have been heard back in the day. The stereo mixes, like many from the sixties, sound best when played through speakers; The separation to get that stereo sound isn’t so noticeable.
Disc Three
This CD focuses on the recordings and performances given before the band were known as Status Quo. It starts with the first single by The Spectres, a cover of I (Who Have Nothing) from 1966. The Spectres and Traffic Jam are split into sections on the disc, with live BBC sessions closing each one. This is a band searching for their sound, and honing their craft in the time before Rick Parfitt joined the band. Most of these tracks have a 60s Pop vibe, which features harmonies, striking guitar leads and a heavy reliance on Roy Lynes’ organ. There are little hints as to what the band would become, which can be found in the heavy abruptness of Neighbour Neighbour, and the live performances of Larry Bright’s Bloodhound and The Everly Brothers’ Bird Dog. The BBC sessions were all previously included on the Live at the BBC boxset some years ago; Selected tracks also made an appearance on the end of 60s album reissues; It’s nice to have them presented here altogether and in their correct context. Understandably live radio recordings range from master quality to old ropey cassette, but they give an excellent indication of where the band was at.
Something of a random observation. Many recordings by The Spectres were discovered in the late 90s, and have since been issued on CD. However, I am sure the mix of Walking With My Angel differs from what I’ve heard on previous compilations. Alan’s vocals seem a little more front and centre and don’t appear to feature so much reverb/delay. This is much clearer than I’ve heard before and sounded great from the speakers in my studio.
Also included on this disc are two tracks which originate from the mid-60s, Love in Vain and Say That You Need Me. According to my research, they have previously only been available officially on an obscure vinyl compilation called Riot of the Amphetamine Generation. Given their origins, they sound a little crispy to these ears but nice to hear some early songwriting from Rossi / Lancaster, and Roy Lynes.
Disc Four
This CD features a-sides, b-sides, outtakes and demos. On the surface, there is a tiny bit of repetition in the tracklisting, but all for good reason. Its nice to hear slightly different mixes of Pictures of Matchstick Men, Paradise Flat and others. To me, the standout of these is the different mix of Little Miss Nothing, featuring a much higher string section that gives it more gravitas.
Quo had a few non-album singles around this time, so it’s nice to see them given a place; You’ll wonder how Make Me Stay a Bit Longer didn’t even dent the chart. Anyone who has collected random Quo compilations will be aware of the off-cuts featured here; Do You Live in Fire and Josie are just two favourites of mine. Don’t forget to Rock out to the surprisingly heavy Bluesy breakdown in their cover of The Everly Brothers’ The Price of Love, a subtle foreshadowing of what was to come.
Disc Five
This disc features BBC sessions performed under the name of Status Quo. I wasn’t sure about separating these performances from the earlier ones, but it does make sense. All of these recordings featured Rick Parfitt in his early days as a member, and have a cleaner sound. There is a little DJ patter at the start and end of some tracks, but this doesn’t deter from the music.
Packaging, Presentation and Artwork
The CDs come packaged in a clamshell-style cardboard case, a preferred practice in recent times. I like it as it opens and closes smoothly without any required click that could become worn over time. Each disc is housed in nicely printed cardboard sleeves.
I appreciate the colourful era-specific styled artwork, which makes the set stand out. The images on the front are striking, and tell the prospective listener exactly what they’re going to get. I’m assuming the artwork came I can see much effort has been taken to create a consistent style across all items in the set. Alongside the music is a booklet featuring liner notes by Dave Ling, track notes by Andy Gamble along with photographs, artwork and rare artefacts.
Conclusion
While this material has seen many releases over the years, I’m not sure the presentation of the ’60s recordings has been this well thought out. Here we have a set which achieves what it sets out to do, compile most of the surviving material into one nicely packaged set. The discs are organised methodically, and keep everything compartmentalised.
I was impressed with the sound on this release. It is quite possibly the best these recordings have sounded ever!
While the first two albums have been reissued several times, the price is normally around £10-£15 for just one of them. This box set packages the two together and adds a ton of relevant era-specific. extras for under £30.
I highly recommend this set.
Tracklisting
Disc One: Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo & Spare Parts – Original Mono albums
Picturesque
- Black Veils Of Melancholy
- When My Mind Is Not Live
- Ice In The Sun
- Elizabeth Dreams
- Gentleman Joe’s Sidewalk Café
- Paradise Flat
- Technicolor Dreams
- Sheila
- Spicks And Specks
- Sunny Cellophane Skies
- Green Tambourine
- Pictures Of Matchstick Men
Spare Parts
- Face Without A Soul
- You’re Just What I Was Looking For Today
- Are You Growing Tired Of My Love
- Antique Angelique
- So Ends Another Life
- Poor Old Man
- Mr. Mind Detector
- The Clown
- Velvet Curtains
- Little Miss Nothing
- When I Awake
- Nothing At All
Disc Two: Picturesque & Spare Parts – Stereo albums
Same tracklisting as disc 1
Disc Three: Before Status Quo
The Spectres:
- I (Who Have Nothing
- Neighbour, Neighbour
- Hurdy Gurdy Man
- (Her Name Was) Laticia
- (We Ain’t Got) Nothing Yet
- I Want It
- Spicks And Specks
- Walking With My Angel
- When He Passed You By
- Love In Vain
- Say That You Need Me
- Neighbour Neighbour (Alternate version)
- Gloria
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - Interview With Francis Rossi
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - I (Who Have Nothing)
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - Neighbour, Neighbour
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - Bloodhound
(BBC Session (Saturday Club - Bird Dog
(BBC Session, Saturday Club)
Traffic Jam: - Almost But Not Quite There
- Wait Just A Minute
- I Don’t Want You
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - Almost But Not Quite There
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - It Takes Two
(BBC Session, Saturday Club) - Spicks And Specks
(BBC Session, Saturday Club)
Disc Four: A-Sides, B-Sides, Demos & Outtakes
- To Be Free
- Make Me Stay a Bit Longer
- Auntie Nellie
- Are You Growing Tired Of My Love
- The Price Of Love
- Little Miss Nothing
- Nothing At All (Demo Excerpt)
- Josie (From Spare Parts sessions)
- Do You Live In Fire (From Spare Parts sessions
- Pictures Of Matchstick Men (Mix Of An Alternate
Version) - Paradise Flats (Alt Version remixed in stereo by Mike
Brown for 1998 remaster) - Hey Little Woman (You’re Just What I Was Looking For Today) (Alternate version)
- The Price Of Love (Alternate version)
- Auntie Nellie (Stereo remix)
- Josie (Alternate mix)
- Pictures Of Matchstick Men (Mix of Alternate Version)
Disc Five: BBC In Session, 1968-1969
- Spicks And Specks
(David Symonds) - Judy In Disguise
(David Symonds) - Pictures Of Matchstick Men
(David Symonds) - Interview With Brian Matthew
(Saturday Club) - Pictures Of Matchstick Men
(Saturday Club) - Things Get Better
(Saturday Club) - Gloria
(David Symonds) - Interview With Alan Lancaster
(David Symonds) - Black Veils Of Melancholy
(David Symonds) - Bloodhound
(David Symonds) - Ice In The Sun
(Saturday Club) - When My Mind Is Not Live
(Saturday Club) - Paradise Flats
(Saturday Club) - Interview
(Symonds on Sunday) - Make Me Stay A Bit Longer
(Symonds on Sunday) - Are You Growing Tired Of My Love
(Symonds on Sunday) - The Price Of Love
(Symonds on Sunday) - The Price Of Love
(Symonds on Sunday)
