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(from scrapbook 3, page 11)

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STATUS QUO: "Quo" (Vertigo)

FROM THE opening harsh and very rude guitar phrase of "Backwater" which straightens out as a sub-Chuck Berry riff complete with half-submerged vocals, this elpee is just what you'd expect from Status Quo.

It just goes on and on and on. For the next half-an-hour or so.

The speed varies from one track to another, electronic gimmickry is employed here and there, in a couple of places the format does change, but for most of the time this is totally unchallenging music.

Either it turns you off, or you're pinned down with its sheer drive. It's music to get up and boogie to. Aren't Status Quo often labelled the best boogie band in the country?

But I can think of quite a few sixties bands that you could boogie to who had a lot more to offer than Status Quo. Bands like Fleetwood Mac, for example. I mean have you ever heard, say, their version of "Shake Your Money Maker"? They played like they meant it, with feeling.

Status Quo probably mean it too but, unlike their live set, you can't see or feel the sweat by listening to this record. It came over to me as something computerised and very cold. All rather frightening. You won't get wise by reading the lyrics either.

But let me just tell you about those two tracks that do break the rules. There's a Rossi-Young tune called "Fine Fine Fine", which has a kind of melody, and a Byrds feel, and would make a good single.

And there's also a piece of melody in "Lonely Man" where Status Quo employ acoustic guitars and an organ expands the sound. But even that goes on rather a long time.

Steve Clarke