I was at a gig the other night where the support act did an acoustic version of “Down Down”. When the chorus hit, the crowd, who were there for Sweet, couldn’t help but join in, couldn’t help smiling, and yet again, Quo had done their job.
Status Quo are, in many respects a bit like Q***n (who I hate with a passion), that is to say, that they are a band that everyone knows, who is always there and somehow always will be. Unlike that other mob, though, I love Quo.
I consider them to be one of the finest rock and roll bands this country has had. Yes, they can be stupidly cheesy – come on, there can’t be a person in the world that actually likes “The Oriental” can there? – but they are supreme.
This brings us to the “Official Archive Series Vol 2”. The latest in the series that documents live recordings of various eras, gives them a remix as if it’s 2023 and away we go.
This show is from the 2012 tour, the culmination at London’s O2 which was also the first time I’d seen the group, the night before. I’d resisted, for the whole “everyone knows them” thing. My brother kept telling me to go and watch them, but I’m a music snob. Or I was until I saw Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Andrew Bown, John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and Matt Letley [in his last UK show as Quo drummer] do their thing.
It’s as irresistible now as it was then. From the “Quo, whoah, whoah”, chant to the absolute genius of “Caroline”, topped off by a piano bit that would make Little Richard blush, to “Paper Plane” and all the others. It’s impossible – assuming you have a pulse – not to be swept along on a tide of pleasure.
The presence of Parfitt makes this special because he was. He is, still, and if the set they are playing here is broadly the same as the one they still play today, then hearing him on “Rain” and the likes have you, to quote the band Massive Wagons and their song “Back To The Stack” raising a glass to Rick cos I’m raising mine.
Put simply, Quo are a brilliant boogie band. “Mystery Song”, “Rock N Roll And You”, “Creepin’ Up On You” (which keeps making an appearance on these things) and so many more, are exactly that.
And they do hits, mate. Loads of hits. “In The Army Now” shifts gear and what follows includes “Roll Over Lay Down” “Whatever You Want” and “Rockin’ All Over The World” and ingrained in the national psyche they might be – much like that bit in Only Fools And Horses where Del falls through the bar – familiarity does not breed contempt.
As this was a couple of days before Christmas there’s a Medley of “festive” tunes, and as I wrote in my review of the night “I know it’s Christmas but it doesn’t make it any better”.
Thankfully, they finish it all with “Burning Bridges” (which I’ve always thought sounded like a Christmas song anyway) and all is well with the world.
Another thing (apart from making my dislike for Christmas clear) I wrote that night was this: “This was the night I finally understood the adoration for Status Quo”.
I’ve seen them 15 more times or so since, and that love has only intensified. So whether you’re a lifer or a newbie, immerse yourself in this. Rock n roll is never more fun, and seldom better done.
Rating 8.5/10
