Old, New, Borrowed and Blue
Encyclopedia
Old New Borrowed and Blue is the fourth studio album
by the British
rock
group Slade
. It was released on 15 February 1974 and reached No. 1 on the UK charts. The album was certified UK Gold by BPI the same month of release.
The album was released in the USA on the Warner Bros. label, under the title 'Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet', minus the tracks "My Town" and "My Friend Stan", the latter reaching #1 in Ireland in October 1973.
The single, "Everyday" was their first not to have the standard 'Slade' sound on it, which is probably why it failed to get higher than #3 on the UK singles chart. The previous single to this was "Merry Xmas Everybody
", which was to be their final #1 hit single, although 1983's "My Oh My" would later reach the #2 spot.
On the "Slade Talk To 19 Readers" bonus track, Holder explains the title of the album came from the fact that there are some old, new, borrowed and blue songs on the album.
The album was certified UK Gold by BPI in February 1974.
Originally, the album was planned to be released in the first week of February.
According to the Fan Club Newsletter for January and February 1974, the album was rewarded a Gold Disc for pre-order sales, even before the album's release.
Also, according to the same newsletter, two or three songs non-typical Slade songs were written a couple of years before the album's release. These songs were not released sooner as they didn't fit with the Slade sound of the time.
After the recording of the album, for the fan club, Don Powell wrote "We've just finished recording our next album. It's got a lot of new things on it. Nothing very different or out of character, we've spent more time on arrangements and little ideas and effects."
Despite Powell's critical condition, he was able to make a quick recovery but even as Slade entered the studio to record the single My Friend Stan, Powell was still walking with the aid of a stick, even having to be lifted onto his drum stool. In addition, his memory would never be the same again and his senses of smell and taste were all but numbered.
The band had already performed in America, as well as Australia and Japan. Arriving in Sydney, the band were thrilled and astonished to learn they had three singles in the top three and were also occupying both top two spots in the album charts. By mid-August Powell had recovered sufficiently to rejoin his band-mates for another American tour. However, their entourage flew home in disappointment after new US record label Warner Bros witnessed a below-par showcase gig in Los Angeles that the band claim was sabotaged by headliners the J Geils Band.
With the huge success of Merry Xmas Everybody
, Old New Borrowed and Blue continued the formula that had served Slade so well to date but also there were surprises with the slight change in musical direction.
In a Record Mirror magazine review, a Slade spokesman stated "the album had sold twice as many cartridges and cassettes than their previous offerings: "perhaps because Slade fans are getting older and probably use tapes in their cars."
, where the bassist was Slade's manager/producer Chas Chandler
. The song became part of Slade's live set around the time.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote "Just a Little Bit cranks in with almost metallic dynamics, even retaining the in-concert ad-libbing that had long since made it a highlight of the live show."
In a interview for the "19" readers, Holder commented "There's nothing like a good singer and Jimmy's nothing like a good singer." In a interview with Ken Sharpe, Lea stated that Holder approached him about Lea singing the lead vocals instead of Holder.
The song was performed live with Lea on lead vocals in New Orleans, 15 June 1974 whilst Slade were touring in America.
The song was released as a promotional single in America.
The song was later covered by by American musician Bob Segarini
in 1978 for the album "Gotta Have Pop" whilst popular American rock group Cheap Trick
released their own version on the 2009 album The Latest
. In 1980, Jim Lea released his own version of the song with his brother Frank Lea under the name The Dummies. In 1994, American band Three Hour Tour released their own version of the song.
Allmusic wrote "When the Lights Are Out offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the bandmembers were thinking as well."
The track is a recommended track by allmusic.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote "My Town offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the bandmembers were thinking as well."
Imgham also wrote "One of the standout tracks on "Old New Borrowed and Blue", "My Town" is the sort of punchy, confident rocker which Slade were turning out as a matter of course by now. From Don Powell's flam on the snare to bring the band in to the chromatic coda on guitars, this lean track represents Slade at their economic, no-nonsense peak."
The track featured Slade's local landlord Tommy Burton on piano. In a 1974 Slade fan club magazine, Powell stated "Incidentally a pub piano is played on one track by a local landlord, Tommy Burton. He now owes us free booze for the rest of the year."
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track "The honky-tonk piano-led "Find Yourself a Rainbow" was another pivotal melodic moment.". Allmusic wrote "The vaudeville piano-led "Find Yourself a Rainbow," was new territory altogether."
In the lyric sheet for the album, an extra verse was printed although this extra section was not in the actual song's recording.
The song was later covered by Max Bygraves.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "understated". Allmusic described the track as "decidedly pretty"
The song was covered by German band Not Fragile whilst Jim Lea recorded his own version of the song as a b-side to the 1980 single "Didn't You Use To Use To Be You?", with his brother Frank Lea and wife Louise Lea, under the name The Dummies.
The Dummies version of the song was also performed on UK TV along with "Didn't You Use To Use To Be You?" to promote the single.
The track is a recommended track by allmusic.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous" and "The fabulously titled "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" were offset by the understated feel of Miles Out To Sea.". Allmusic wrote "With tunes such as "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof" and "Do We Still Do It," Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."
Allmusic also wrote "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the bandmembers were thinking as well."
The song was later covered by Muska.
" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now
".
Allmusic wrote "With tunes such as "Do We Still Do It," Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "How Can It Be saw the band venturing close to country-rock territory, an area that interested Holder in particular." Allmusic wrote "The country-rock-inflected "How Can It Be" posited a direction that Holder himself admitted had long been a regular on his home turntable."
The song was later covered by Canned Rock and Antonia Rojas.
".
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "It's somehow fitting that the b-side of Slade's most famous and best-selling song should be this raucous rocker which once more rejoices in Slade's success, albeit in a more extrovert way than Slade's b-side to "Cum On Feel the Noize
", "I'm Mee I'm Now and That's Orl". Though once more a serviceable Slade rocker which also appeared on "Old New Borrowed and Blue", "Don't Blame Me" is notorious for having the most extreme vocal that Noddy Holder ever recorded. Gravelly at the best of times, with plenty of automatic double tracking and mixed by Chas Chandler as boldly upfront as it ever was, Holder's voice sounds less like a tool of singing and more like a weapon of mass destruction."
For the fan club newsletter in 1979, Jim Lea spoke of the b-side "Don't Blame Me", "Don't Blame Me was a time-filler, I think that it was created as that. When it was used as a b-side, we didn't even know it was being used, it was chosen by the offices. We were in America recording the Christmas single, there was a rush to choose what to put on the back of it, and that track happened to be used."
At the time, Lea was persuaded to complete this song by manager Chas Chandler who'd heard him playing the melody on the piano at his home. During recording, drummer Don Powell was walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted on to his drum kit due to his near fatal car accident of the time.
Upon its release, the band knew they were taking a risk but Everyday had become a firm favourite on stage when the crowd would sing along - which they never expected.
The song was born out of an evening at Lea's house when his friends asked how he wrote songs. Lea's wife promptly sang the opening of the verse which Lea later completed. This was a recording that guitarist Dave Hill didn't actually play on, as he was away on honeymoon and so he missed the recording sessions. Jim Lea did all the guitar parts.
The track is a recommended track by allmusic.
" that also appeared on the album.
The song was the only track on the album to feature mis-spelling at all.
The song was included on the German compilations "Far Far Away" and "The Story of Slade Vol. 1".
In America, the song was released as a single with "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" as the b-side. This single was released via Warner Bros. Records.
Reviews for the Salvo remastered edition of the album were overall positive.
Bob Stanley
of The Times wrote "Slade are now known as the missing link between the Beatles and Oasis. This 1974 effort is the pick of their early albums: Noddy Holder’s girder-munching vocals are spread evenly between Black Country rock (Just A Little Bit), Macca-styled ballads (the hit Everyday), and the odd music-hall blunder. This is joyous, unshackled and unpretentious stuff that reminds you how they rattled off six No 1s."
rockahead.net stated "The sleeve notes written by Dave Ling are informative and amusing and more importantly the sound quality is exceptional particularly when the volume is cranked up high something that is always a consideration when playing Slade albums."
Jez Burr for BBC wrote "At last the Wolverhampton boys get a decent overhaul."
Terry Staunton for Record Collector stated "Each of these reissues is generously bolstered by B-sides never previously issued on CD, the best of which has to be the ONB&B bonus of Kill ‘Em At The Hot Club Tonite; Nod and Jim airing their perhaps surprising fondness for the jazz stylings of Stephane Grapelli! That’s the thing about Slade: the sheer force and bombast of the hits has, in many ways, blinded listeners to their other myriad joys. They could have been an altogether different prospect once they’d unlaced the big boots."
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
. It was released on 15 February 1974 and reached No. 1 on the UK charts. The album was certified UK Gold by BPI the same month of release.
The album was released in the USA on the Warner Bros. label, under the title 'Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet', minus the tracks "My Town" and "My Friend Stan", the latter reaching #1 in Ireland in October 1973.
The single, "Everyday" was their first not to have the standard 'Slade' sound on it, which is probably why it failed to get higher than #3 on the UK singles chart. The previous single to this was "Merry Xmas Everybody
Merry Xmas Everybody
"Merry Xmas Everybody" is a 1973 song by the English rock band Slade. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's sixth number-one single in the UK...
", which was to be their final #1 hit single, although 1983's "My Oh My" would later reach the #2 spot.
On the "Slade Talk To 19 Readers" bonus track, Holder explains the title of the album came from the fact that there are some old, new, borrowed and blue songs on the album.
The album was certified UK Gold by BPI in February 1974.
Originally, the album was planned to be released in the first week of February.
According to the Fan Club Newsletter for January and February 1974, the album was rewarded a Gold Disc for pre-order sales, even before the album's release.
Also, according to the same newsletter, two or three songs non-typical Slade songs were written a couple of years before the album's release. These songs were not released sooner as they didn't fit with the Slade sound of the time.
After the recording of the album, for the fan club, Don Powell wrote "We've just finished recording our next album. It's got a lot of new things on it. Nothing very different or out of character, we've spent more time on arrangements and little ideas and effects."
Background
Slade's fourth studio album was conceived and recorded amid various touring and promotional activities in late 1973, and also during the headline-making convalescence of Don Powell. The drummer was involved in a car crash in July, briefly throwing the bands existence into doubt. But with bassist Lea's brother Frank standing in, Slade were able to fulfil a festival obligation on the Isle of Man a few days after the accident.Despite Powell's critical condition, he was able to make a quick recovery but even as Slade entered the studio to record the single My Friend Stan, Powell was still walking with the aid of a stick, even having to be lifted onto his drum stool. In addition, his memory would never be the same again and his senses of smell and taste were all but numbered.
The band had already performed in America, as well as Australia and Japan. Arriving in Sydney, the band were thrilled and astonished to learn they had three singles in the top three and were also occupying both top two spots in the album charts. By mid-August Powell had recovered sufficiently to rejoin his band-mates for another American tour. However, their entourage flew home in disappointment after new US record label Warner Bros witnessed a below-par showcase gig in Los Angeles that the band claim was sabotaged by headliners the J Geils Band.
With the huge success of Merry Xmas Everybody
Merry Xmas Everybody
"Merry Xmas Everybody" is a 1973 song by the English rock band Slade. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's sixth number-one single in the UK...
, Old New Borrowed and Blue continued the formula that had served Slade so well to date but also there were surprises with the slight change in musical direction.
Release
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine released an article based on the album's demand. "Orders for Slade's new album "Old New Borrowed and Blue" are becoming out of this world. Advanced sales just before releases were 170,000 which means 1,190,000 single record units. All the album songs are written by Jimmy Lea and Noddy Holder save for "Just a Little Bit" and you had the Record Mirror magazine verdict last week on the tracks - hit all the way!"In a Record Mirror magazine review, a Slade spokesman stated "the album had sold twice as many cartridges and cassettes than their previous offerings: "perhaps because Slade fans are getting older and probably use tapes in their cars."
Track listing
- "Just Want a Little Bit" (Thornton/Bass/Washington/Brown/Thompson) - 4:02
- "When the Lights are Out"(Holder/Lea) - 3:06
- "My Town" (Holder/Lea) - 3:08
- "Find Yourself a Rainbow" (Holder/Lea) - 2:12
- "Miles Out to Sea" (Holder/Lea) - 3:51
- "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof" (Holder/Lea) - 3:09
- "Do We Still Do It" (Holder/Lea) - 3:05
- "How Can It Be" (Holder/Lea) - 3:04
- "Don't Blame Me" (Holder/Lea) - 2:33
- also issued as the b-side of "Merry Xmas EverybodyMerry Xmas Everybody"Merry Xmas Everybody" is a 1973 song by the English rock band Slade. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's sixth number-one single in the UK...
"
- also issued as the b-side of "Merry Xmas Everybody
- "My Friend Stan" (Holder/Lea) UK #2 - 2:42
- "EverydayEveryday (Slade song)"Everyday" is a single from glam rock band Slade which appeared on the album Old New Borrowed and Blue. It was written by the usual collaboration of lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1974 and peaked at #3 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart, the shortest...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #3 - 3:13 - "Good Time Gals" (Holder/Lea) - 3:36
Bonus tracks on the 2006 remaster
- "I'm Mee I'm Now And That's Orl"
- "Kill 'Em At The Hot Club Tonite"
- "The Bangin' Man"
- "She Did It To Me"
- "Slade Talk To 19 Readers"
Just Want a Little Bit
"Just Want a Little Bit" is the opener from the album. The song was previously performed by The AnimalsThe Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
, where the bassist was Slade's manager/producer Chas Chandler
Chas Chandler
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts....
. The song became part of Slade's live set around the time.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote "Just a Little Bit cranks in with almost metallic dynamics, even retaining the in-concert ad-libbing that had long since made it a highlight of the live show."
When The Lights Are Out
"When The Lights Are Out" is a mid-tempo pop-rock ballad, showing the band's sound envolving. This track was the first to feature Jim Lea on lead vocals instead of Noddy Holder who would join in at the chorus. Lea wouldn't perform lead vocals on another Slade track until the 1987 b-side "Don't Talk To Me About Love".In a interview for the "19" readers, Holder commented "There's nothing like a good singer and Jimmy's nothing like a good singer." In a interview with Ken Sharpe, Lea stated that Holder approached him about Lea singing the lead vocals instead of Holder.
The song was performed live with Lea on lead vocals in New Orleans, 15 June 1974 whilst Slade were touring in America.
The song was released as a promotional single in America.
The song was later covered by by American musician Bob Segarini
Bob Segarini
Bob Segarini is a recording artist, singer, songwriter, composer and radio host. During a professional music career primarily developed between 1968 and the early 1980s, Segarani was particularly popular in Canada...
in 1978 for the album "Gotta Have Pop" whilst popular American rock group Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
released their own version on the 2009 album The Latest
The Latest
The Latest is the sixteenth studio album by the American power pop band Cheap Trick. The album was produced by Cheap Trick, Julian Raymond and Howard Willing and was released on June 23, 2009. The album was issued on standard CD as well as limited pressings of vinyl and 8-Track tapes. The album was...
. In 1980, Jim Lea released his own version of the song with his brother Frank Lea under the name The Dummies. In 1994, American band Three Hour Tour released their own version of the song.
Allmusic wrote "When the Lights Are Out offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the bandmembers were thinking as well."
The track is a recommended track by allmusic.
My Town
"My Town" is an up-tempo rock track that originally appeared as the b-side to Slade's 1973 single "My Friend Stan" which also appeared on the album.Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote "My Town offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the bandmembers were thinking as well."
Imgham also wrote "One of the standout tracks on "Old New Borrowed and Blue", "My Town" is the sort of punchy, confident rocker which Slade were turning out as a matter of course by now. From Don Powell's flam on the snare to bring the band in to the chromatic coda on guitars, this lean track represents Slade at their economic, no-nonsense peak."
Find Yourself a Rainbow
"Find Yourself a Rainbow" is a novelty-themed song with honky-tonk piano as the main instrument.The track featured Slade's local landlord Tommy Burton on piano. In a 1974 Slade fan club magazine, Powell stated "Incidentally a pub piano is played on one track by a local landlord, Tommy Burton. He now owes us free booze for the rest of the year."
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track "The honky-tonk piano-led "Find Yourself a Rainbow" was another pivotal melodic moment.". Allmusic wrote "The vaudeville piano-led "Find Yourself a Rainbow," was new territory altogether."
In the lyric sheet for the album, an extra verse was printed although this extra section was not in the actual song's recording.
The song was later covered by Max Bygraves.
Miles Out To Sea
"Miles Out To Sea" is a mid-tempo rock ballad.Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "understated". Allmusic described the track as "decidedly pretty"
The song was covered by German band Not Fragile whilst Jim Lea recorded his own version of the song as a b-side to the 1980 single "Didn't You Use To Use To Be You?", with his brother Frank Lea and wife Louise Lea, under the name The Dummies.
The Dummies version of the song was also performed on UK TV along with "Didn't You Use To Use To Be You?" to promote the single.
The track is a recommended track by allmusic.
We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof
"We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" is an up-tempo rock track.Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous" and "The fabulously titled "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" were offset by the understated feel of Miles Out To Sea.". Allmusic wrote "With tunes such as "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof" and "Do We Still Do It," Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."
Allmusic also wrote "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the bandmembers were thinking as well."
The song was later covered by Muska.
Do We Still Do It
"Do We Still Do It" is one of the more rock-based tracks on the album with a large anthemic feel, similar to the band's previous singles "Cum On Feel the NoizeCum on Feel the Noize
"Cum On Feel the Noize" is a rock song originally released by Slade in 1973.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, "Cum On Feel the Noize" was Slade's fourth number-one single in the UK and their first to enter straight at number one...
" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a popular song originally recorded by the British Glam rock band Slade on their album Slayed?.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's third number-one single in the United Kingdom. The single entered the charts on its first...
".
Allmusic wrote "With tunes such as "Do We Still Do It," Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."
How Can It Be
"How Can It Be" is a country-flavoured rock track.Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "How Can It Be saw the band venturing close to country-rock territory, an area that interested Holder in particular." Allmusic wrote "The country-rock-inflected "How Can It Be" posited a direction that Holder himself admitted had long been a regular on his home turntable."
The song was later covered by Canned Rock and Antonia Rojas.
Don't Blame Me
"Don't Blame Me" in an up-tempo rock track, originally appearing as the b-side to the original 1973 release of "Merry Xmas EverybodyMerry Xmas Everybody
"Merry Xmas Everybody" is a 1973 song by the English rock band Slade. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's sixth number-one single in the UK...
".
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "It's somehow fitting that the b-side of Slade's most famous and best-selling song should be this raucous rocker which once more rejoices in Slade's success, albeit in a more extrovert way than Slade's b-side to "Cum On Feel the Noize
Cum on Feel the Noize
"Cum On Feel the Noize" is a rock song originally released by Slade in 1973.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, "Cum On Feel the Noize" was Slade's fourth number-one single in the UK and their first to enter straight at number one...
", "I'm Mee I'm Now and That's Orl". Though once more a serviceable Slade rocker which also appeared on "Old New Borrowed and Blue", "Don't Blame Me" is notorious for having the most extreme vocal that Noddy Holder ever recorded. Gravelly at the best of times, with plenty of automatic double tracking and mixed by Chas Chandler as boldly upfront as it ever was, Holder's voice sounds less like a tool of singing and more like a weapon of mass destruction."
For the fan club newsletter in 1979, Jim Lea spoke of the b-side "Don't Blame Me", "Don't Blame Me was a time-filler, I think that it was created as that. When it was used as a b-side, we didn't even know it was being used, it was chosen by the offices. We were in America recording the Christmas single, there was a rush to choose what to put on the back of it, and that track happened to be used."
My Friend Stan
"My Friend Stan" is the lead single from the album. The song itself has a novelty feel with piano as the leading instrument. The song peaked at #2 in the UK.At the time, Lea was persuaded to complete this song by manager Chas Chandler who'd heard him playing the melody on the piano at his home. During recording, drummer Don Powell was walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted on to his drum kit due to his near fatal car accident of the time.
Everyday
"Everyday" is a piano based ballad which was released as the second and final single, peaking at #3 in the UK.Upon its release, the band knew they were taking a risk but Everyday had become a firm favourite on stage when the crowd would sing along - which they never expected.
The song was born out of an evening at Lea's house when his friends asked how he wrote songs. Lea's wife promptly sang the opening of the verse which Lea later completed. This was a recording that guitarist Dave Hill didn't actually play on, as he was away on honeymoon and so he missed the recording sessions. Jim Lea did all the guitar parts.
The track is a recommended track by allmusic.
Good Time Gals
"Good Time Gals" is the album's closing track. It originally appeared as the b-side to the 1974 single "EverydayEveryday (Slade song)
"Everyday" is a single from glam rock band Slade which appeared on the album Old New Borrowed and Blue. It was written by the usual collaboration of lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1974 and peaked at #3 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart, the shortest...
" that also appeared on the album.
The song was the only track on the album to feature mis-spelling at all.
The song was included on the German compilations "Far Far Away" and "The Story of Slade Vol. 1".
In America, the song was released as a single with "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" as the b-side. This single was released via Warner Bros. Records.
Critical reception
The album was voted number 10 for the best albums of the year in the Disc Music Awards 1974.Reviews for the Salvo remastered edition of the album were overall positive.
Bob Stanley
Bob Stanley
Robert William "Bob" Stanley is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox.Over his 13-year career, Stanley played only for the Red Sox from 1977-89...
of The Times wrote "Slade are now known as the missing link between the Beatles and Oasis. This 1974 effort is the pick of their early albums: Noddy Holder’s girder-munching vocals are spread evenly between Black Country rock (Just A Little Bit), Macca-styled ballads (the hit Everyday), and the odd music-hall blunder. This is joyous, unshackled and unpretentious stuff that reminds you how they rattled off six No 1s."
rockahead.net stated "The sleeve notes written by Dave Ling are informative and amusing and more importantly the sound quality is exceptional particularly when the volume is cranked up high something that is always a consideration when playing Slade albums."
Jez Burr for BBC wrote "At last the Wolverhampton boys get a decent overhaul."
Terry Staunton for Record Collector stated "Each of these reissues is generously bolstered by B-sides never previously issued on CD, the best of which has to be the ONB&B bonus of Kill ‘Em At The Hot Club Tonite; Nod and Jim airing their perhaps surprising fondness for the jazz stylings of Stephane Grapelli! That’s the thing about Slade: the sheer force and bombast of the hits has, in many ways, blinded listeners to their other myriad joys. They could have been an altogether different prospect once they’d unlaced the big boots."
Chart performance
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Australian (ARIA) Albums Chart | 8 | 17 |
| German Albums Chart | 20 | ? |
| New Zealand Album Charts Albums Chart | 12 | ? |
| Norwegian Albums Chart | 3 | 17 |
| UK Albums Chart | 1 | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 168 | 5 |
Slade
- Noddy HolderNoddy HolderNeville John "Noddy" Holder MBE is an English musician and actor. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist with the rock band Slade....
- lead vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Dave HillDave HillDave Hill is an English musician, who is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the English glam rock group, Slade. The music journalist, Stuart Maconie, commented "he usually wore a jumpsuit made of the foil that you baste your turkeys in and platforms of oil-rig-derrick height...
- lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Jim LeaJim LeaJim Lea , is an English musician, most notable for playing bass guitar, keyboards, violin, guitar, and singing backing vocals in Slade.-Career:...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocals on "When the Lights are Out", pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Don PowellDon PowellDon Powell is a drummer who founded the English glam rock group, Slade.- Biography :As a child Powell joined the Boy Scouts where he became interested in the drums after being asked to join the band on a Sunday morning parade. After Etheridge Secondary Modern School he studied Metallurgy at...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional credits
- Tommy Burton - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on "Find Yourself a Rainbow" - Dave Ferrante - mixing
- Gered MankowitzGered MankowitzGered Mankowitz is a British photographer of the rock music scene over the last 40 years. Some of his portraits of rock musicians, such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Slade, are now part of the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery.-Personal life:His father was the late...
- photography - Chas ChandlerChas ChandlerBryan James "Chas" Chandler was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts....
- producer - Ian Murray - art direction
- Wade Wood Associates - design
- Alan O'Duffy - engineer
- George Chkiantz - engineer