Mama weer all crazee now (Slade) (LP 272)

Slade Slayed? (CD - Union Square Music, 1972) *****

Genre:  English pop/rock

Places I remember: FOPP Covent Garden - the CD replaced the old long gone vinyl copy.  

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Gudbuy T'Jane




Gear costume: Look At Last Nite, Move Over, Gudbuy Gudbuy, Mama Weer All Crazee Now 

Active compensatory factors: Back in 1972, after Slade Alive, I waited very impatiently to get my hands on this album.

I wasn't disappointed. The Slade sound delivered: Noddy Holder's instantly recognisable vocals (Gudbuy Gudbuy's sneer is peerless); Don Powell's iconic drum shuffle; topped off by Dave Hill's punk/glam/metal guitar.

All that is great, but, for me, the real star of Slade is Jim Lea - bassist, violinist, songwriter: listen to Look At Last Nite for the classic Slade sound and what do you find? Jim Lea's bass - that's wot. 

Back in the day, these songs packed punch and they still do. Move Over is still remarkable and the Beatles inspired pop songs lead by Gudbuy Gudbuy, Mama Weer All Crazee Now and Gudbuy T'Jane are timeless.

Where do they all belong? Without Slade, no AC/DC (The Whole World's Goin' Crazee alone was the template)