Customer Reviews

Old New Borrowed & Blue

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For the first time ever remastered and re-released with 4 bonus tracks (2 singles b-sides + their single Bangin' Man/She Did It To Me) appear on CD for the first time ever on official release. The correct label is SALVO (not SLAVO) which is a new British label and the batch of three Slade's re-releases is the first CDs this label ever released. Sound quality is better than on old regular issue of this famous 1974 album released on CD way back in 1991 on Polydor. Contains a very beautiful and informative booklet with lots of unseen colour snaps including covers of their singles released in different countries and nice essay written by Classic Rock Magazine man Dave Ling. Highly recommended for all Slade fans. You may at last replace your old CD with this one ! The slipcase also inserted into additional paper jacket wich adds nothing to the release itself because it exactly repeats what is already shown in the booklet. From the other hand if somebody wants this album in paper jacket as mini-LP version try to find this only in Russia. I now own both versions. Originally released on LP in 1974 in the US under different title with slightly different track list. This is the original album with original title as was released in the UK but now revamped on CD with bonus tracks. Please note that "I'me, I'm Now And That's Orl" originally appeared on CD only on long out of print 2CD compilation "The Slade Story", A-side "Bangin' Man" did not appear on any LP in UK, but in US it appeared on american version of "Slade In Flame" instead of "Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here)" in the UK. On CD "Bangin' Man" can be found on "Wall Of Hits" compilation in 1991. The hidden pearl here is very beautiful power-pop singalong ballad "She Did It To Me" never appeared on any LP/CD which rivals to "Everyday" a hit #3 in UK from this album. Could be easily the A-side and a huge hit. I'm now eagerly waiting for the new version of "Slade In Flame". My minor quibble - even new release does not contain the original fold-out sleeve with (almost) full lyrics and bandmembers on the background which is here on Russian paper jacket version.

this album is from an era when even slade b-sides were excellent. 'do we still do it' has to be one of their best songs ever, and it didn't even make a single release! that's how much they were on a roll at this time.

i have all the slade albums, and along with play it loud and slade alive this is a fave.

Slade set the standard for big arena rock. Their stage show was awesome. I loved it when the lights were out except for a spot light on the lead singers hat. Its mirrors shot beams through out the arena. Super Yobs space man image predated the Kiss concept. Kiss later copied the Slade formula and stepped it up a notch. I saw Slade in Louisville Ky. many years ago. To this day I still hear the sound check where the roadie kept saying "turn it up" over the lead mike. He finally screamed "turn it up!" I never heard a louder more full lead vocal to this day. My favorite song from this album is "Do We Still Do It." It is the ultimate rock song. It hasnt been surpassed by any band in 30 years. Everyday and other great songs fill out this one of a kind album.

I've heard all Slade albums and this is one of my favorites. Really great album. Get it - you will never regret it if you are a Slade fan. Just one song "Everyday" is enough to make this album worth buying.

"My Town" is a great Slade B-side that's been included on this CD - the original A-side "My Friend Stan" is a charming piano-driven number (if the Kinks were from Wolverhampton they might have sounded like that), but "My Town" is Slade doing what they're known for best - a hard-rocking singalong tune.

It's hard to believe four guys as homely as Slade made such a beautiful noise, but the band was on some sort of roll in England when this was originally released nearly 30 years ago. The band's music, like that of The Jam and, to a certain degree Oasis, never really seemed to catch on in the States like it did across the pond. Entitled "Stomp Your Hands Clap Your Feet" when released stateside, it's the perfect companion to the hits collection "Sladest." From top to bottom, this has to be their "masterpiece" (if you can use that term to describe a band only concerned with having a good time), and it contains three of their best (and largely unknown) songs in "Do We Still Do It," "When The Lights Are Out," and "How Can It Be." Full of the goodtime, foot stompin' dependable boogie we've come to expect from Noddy Holder and Co. and the last great album they released before once again making a big push to be noticed in the U.S. in the late 1980's. You could find a lot worse ways to spend 30 minutes.

The masterz of mizspelt titles. At their peak (just as this album wos released) Noddy, Dave, Jim & Don could do no wrong. This wos to be their last classic album after which it was the start of their first dip into the obscurity. "When the lights are out" is an outstanding example of the catchy tunes that Noddy Holder and Jim Lea wrote. This track was later released by Jim's group The Dummies in the early 80's. However stardom beckoned again in UK in the early 80's and Slade hit the top 10 and after a few more hits Noddy called time and is now a Radio & TV personality while Slade II is fronted by Dave Hill with Don Powell still on drums. As for Jim Lea ? - it's gone very quiet out there Jim what are you up to?

By 1973, Slade were one of the most successful bands in the UK, releasing a continuous wave of hit singles and touring constantly. The band had just went straight to number one in the first week with their single Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me and things were going perfect. However, in July 1973, drummer Don Powell was critically injured in a car crash. His girlfriend who was also in the accident was killed, and Powell was in a coma for nearly a week. This left the band's future in question as Slade weren't Slade without Powell. Fortunately, Powell recovered and was able to join the band in New York to record Merry Xmas Everybody in August that year. Powell still suffers with acute short term memory loss and sensory problems. Whilst Powell fully recovered, the band kept the momentum by releasing the compilation album Sladest which topped the UK chart. In early 1974, the band's next studio album was released titled Old New Borrowed and Blue. By this time, the band had wanted to move their sound into new territory which is heavily shown on the album.

The album opens with a cover of Just Want a Little Bit which has been covered by numerous artists including as Magic Sam, Elvis Presley and The Animals. The song opens with some strong percussion whilst a brilliant guitar melody weaves throughout. Noddy's vocals are consistently powerful and works perfectly throughout. There is some fine guitar work from Dave Hill which plays throughout the song. The middle section of the song features the band playing rather quietly, allowing a strong build up of tension before the song returns the energy to the sound. A strong ending showcases the vocals. Overall, a brilliant album opener which recalls the energy of the band's 1972 Slayed? album. "I don't want much, I just want a little bit, I don't want it all, I just want a little bit. I want a eeny-weeny bit, just a teeny-weeny bit of your love..."

When The Lights Are Out is a strong pop ballad which features lead vocals from bassist Jim Lea. A great melody opens the song, followed by the first verse. The verses feature a solid vocal performance from Jim Lea and some meaningful lyrics which refer to the feeling of being with your love during the night. A strong chorus follows the verse which is very infectious and some strong backing guitar. Some great backing vocals are including in this song. A short but fitting solo is present. A highly memorable song overall. American rock band Cheap Trick covered this song for their 2009 album The Latest. "When you gaze into a crystal ball, you'll see nothing's gonna change at all, you'll see nothing's gonna happen overnight so please. When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh, let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky..."

The next track is My Town which immediately opens with some strong vocal from Noddy, backed by a solid guitar riff. The verses flow perfectly and melodically whilst the chorus features some great vocals an memorable lyrics. These lyrics refer to the band being on-the-road with some lines being suggestive. Some strong backing vocals are featured throughout and a simple but effective guitar solo is present. Powell's percussion is consistently strong throughout the track. A strong track that has a strong sense of raw energy throughout. "Gotta find some way outta this town tonight. There's a hot shooting mama gonna crack your skull on sight. She keeps a-hanging on to your tail, makes it hurt and makes you wail. You been hiding, you been aching, get ready to fight..."

Find Yourself a Rainbow follows and is very much a novelty song which consists of vocal, piano, bass and a hint of percussion. Jazz musician Tommy Burton plays the piano on this track. The song opens with a rather melodic and yet novelty sounding piano riff. Vocals follow which are solid throughout, backed by a strong bassline. The lyrics of this track are meaningful and refer to finding happiness. A strong piano solo is featured whilst the ending includes some backing vocal. This track is only just over two minutes but remains a carefree and meaningful track although guitar is not one included. "Find yourself a rainbow, find yourself in that pot of gold. When you're there, you're there to stay, anyway, you'll find yourself start changing, all you gotta do is take a hold, things get better day by day..."

Following is Miles Out To Sea which is a mid tempo track which combines both elements of a ballad and a rocker, something that Slade proved they could do well on the following 1974 album Slade In Flame. The track opens with some strong and melodic guitar, followed by some great vocals in the first verse. Jim Lea's bass guitar is a strong highlight here. A brilliantly infectious chorus follows which features powerful vocal, backing piano, strong bass and more melodic guitar. Harmonic backing vocals are present in the second verse whilst a memorable backing chant is featured in the final verse. Overall, a great track, perfectly constructed and a highlight of the album. "We were miles out to sea, did we float you and me? Maybe one day we'll go back for more. We were miles from the bay, did we float? I should say. Maybe next time we'll leave from the shore..."

The fun rocker We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof follows and features some great energy from the band. A strong guitar riff opens the track which is followed by some powerful vocal. The first verse carried Noddy's vocal perfectly with a frantic guitar riff and some wild backing piano. A strong chorus follows with some great guitar licks and brilliant vocals. A fantastic guitar solo is featured in this track whilst the ending features a great showcase for Noddy's vocal. The lyrics are self-explanatory throughout, referring to rocking and Slade's audience. A fun rock song overall with a hint of a rock `n' roll influence. "Slip up, trip up, I'm trying to do my zip up, we're really gonna raise the roof. You might not have seen us, only pictures in the magazines. So get up, set up, we ain't gonna let up, we're really gonna raise the roof..."

Do We Still Do It is a strong rocker and another great highlight of this album. The song opens with a fantastic guitar melody which leads perfectly into the first verse. Noddy's vocals are fantastic throughout the verses, backed by a solid guitar riff. A huge anthemic chorus follows with call and response between backing and lead vocals. The entire track flows perfectly whilst the ending features some powerful vocal and strong guitar. Percussion and bass guitar is solid throughout, making this entire song a brilliant performance. With the great anthemic chorus, this song should have been a released as a single. "Ever since the world turned on, it was so, so, so corruptible. Got to join our hands in one, we'll be oh so indestructible..."

The next track How Can It Be opens with a strong acoustic guitar riff which carries Noddy's vocals through the first verse perfectly. The verses are simple but effective throughout with a hint of percussion. A strong chorus follows which consists of some fantastic lead vocal, solid backing vocal and a brilliant lead guitar riff. Following the second chorus is an effective guitar solo whilst the final verse features some strong and weaving backing vocal. The lyrics throughout ask how certain things turn out like they do and how can they be. A simple song but very effective and a strong track for this album. "How can a woman eat up a man, how can it be, how can it be? How can a lady cheat, well she can, how can it be, how can it be? Well you know why that maybe I can sit and cry and sigh, and we know the reason why how can it be..."

Don't Blame Me is a rather notable song in Slade's career. Apart from being included on this album, it was the original b-side to Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody single. This very song alone proves just how far Noddy's vocal can go. The song opens with a blistering scream from Noddy, followed by a simple guitar riff. The first verse features some powerful vocal, backed by a rock `n' roll influenced guitar riff. A short guitar solo follows the first two verses which works nicely. Another solo is featured before the ending which features a breathtaking vocal performance from Noddy. This is a simple song overall, a fun rock track. The vocals on this recording show just how loud Slade were despite the vocals here being completely over the top. "I gotta heart and a soul, I gotta mind of my own, and my spine ain't weak, I gotta lazy streak. Lately I said I've been a winner, ladies they all cook my dinner, I'm set free, I said don't blame me..."

The first single from the album My Friend Stan is next and again has a novelty sound like Find Yourself a Rainbow. This time though, the sound is much more commercial. An infectious piano melody opens this track which carries the vocals along the first verse. This verse features some fun lyrics and strong vocals. The chorus is memorable and features some great backing vocal. For the second verse, bass guitar is featured along with some strong lead guitar that weaves in between the lines. A brilliant guitar solo follows the second verse which also features harmonic backing vocal. The lyrics reference different fictional friends and state some fun facts about each one. A simple but effective song which is overall very memorable. During this track's recording, Powell was walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted onto his drum kit. "And from the way you blacked my eye, I know that you're the reason why. And from the way you fixed his tie, I see your getting to him, you been getting to him..."

The other single from the album Everyday is a strong ballad, built up around piano. An emotional, heartfelt and melodic piano opens the track. This emotional piano carries some sensitive vocal along in the first verse. A brilliant chorus follows which consists of an incredible vocal performance, piano, bass and a hint of percussion. The following verse and chorus features harmonic backing vocals for good measure. A fantastic guitar solo follows the second chorus which was actually played by bassist Jim Lea at the time as guitarist Dave Hill was on his honeymoon during the recording of this track. The ending of the track features more harmonic backing vocal and some nice lead guitar. Lyrically, this song is rather simple but effective, referring to a relationship that can no longer go on. Overall, this track is a real highlight of the album, particularly Noddy`s strong but sensitive vocal performance. It also proved that Slade could be sensitive and versatile in their work. "Everyday when I'm away, I'm thinking of you. Everyone can carry on except for we two. And you know that our love, and you know that I, and you know that our love won't die..." and "It won't even show, and no one will know. One little wave to say you'll behave. It won't even show, how far love can go..." are two strong examples of the emotive lyrics.

The album's closer is Good Time Gals which opens with some solid percussion and is soon joined by a strong guitar riff. The first verse features some great vocal, backed by some fine guitar work from Hill. A strong chorus follows which consists of solid vocals, backing vocal and two layers of brilliant guitar. This chorus is memorable with the line "So gimme good time gals to love the rest of my life..." After the second chorus is a brilliant guitar solo whilst the ending features some energetic vocal and guitar. The lyrics are very risqué but fun all the same. Overall, a brilliant album closer that bursts with raw energy and strong performance. "I wanted to give you diamonds, I wanted to wear your clothes, I wanted to touch your dream machine, in there anything goes..."

For the remaster of this album there are five bonus tracks which mainly consist of b-sides. I'm Mee I'm Now and That's Orl was the original b-side to Slade's UK chart topper Cum On Feel The Noize. This b-side is in the similar vein to Slade's 70s rocking and anthemic output. Strong rhythm and a great guitar riff open this song. Noddy's vocals are powerful throughout the verses, backed by strong guitar. The chorus is simple but effective, consisting of strong guitar and vocals that repeat the song title. Following the second chorus is a strong anthemic section which features great vocals, thunderous percussion, brilliant guitar and some backing vocal. This particular section may actually be the official chorus but this remains unclear throughout. A strong and solid b-side overall. "Everybody's telling me we're insane, anything goes wrong we always get the blame. We know what we're thinking when the ladies winking, sure must count for something if they know your name..."

Kill 'Em At The Hot Club Tonite was originally the b-side to the Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me single. This song has a big novelty sound to it, inspired by a mixture of Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the sound of the 1920s decade. The song opens with some unusual but effective guitar, interesting percussion and a solid bassline. The verses feature some solid vocals from Noddy and some interesting lyrics that refers to the 70s era nicely. An effective chorus follows with a hint of backing vocal and a solid bassline to lead the vocals. Electric violin also makes an appearance in the track, the first time since the 1971 single Coz I Luv You. This violin carves a fine melody after the first chorus whilst the second chorus features some great backing vocal. The ending features more of a showcase for the Lea`s violin skill, ending the track nicely with the final chorus. An interesting song that was originally considered to be the follow-up single to Cum On Feel The Noize. "You'll get over me, I'll get over you, the only time we'll meet is when we really fancy. A ride in my car, pick up my guitar, you think that saying sorry is the only answer..."

The next track is The Bangin' Man which was a non-album 1974 single, peaking at #3 in the UK and becoming a hit throughout Europe. The song opens with two layers of solid guitar and some cowbell percussion. A strong verse consists of great vocal, a weaving guitar riff and more cowbell percussion. The chorus is memorable with a strong guitar melody, solid percussion and some great anthemic vocals. Some fantastic lead guitar weaves throughout the second verse nicely. A brilliant guitar solo is featured whilst the ending consists of a final verse and the chorus. The lyrics in this track are suggestive and apparently refer to being woken up by room maids whilst on tour. "When you wake up in the morning, you can't remember much about the night before. Then the lady who's beside you gets up, she goes right out and locks the bathroom door..."

She Did It To Me is a ballad themed song that was originally the b-side to The Bangin' Man. The song opens with a heartfelt piano melody which leads into the verses. A simple piano riff carries Noddy's sensitive vocal along nicely but the main highlight is the chorus. The chorus is a grand mixture of fantastic vocal, strong piano, effective percussion and harmonic backing vocals. For the second verse, harmonic backing vocals continue. A fantastic guitar solo from Hill is featured in this track. The ending features some strong guitar and harmonic vocal to close the track nicely. The lyrics are brilliantly effective and heartfelt throughout with hints at the effect of infidelity. Overall, a strong song that could be linked with Slade's Everyday song. "Anytime you feel a little pain, anytime you want to talk again. Cause I knew that soon we'd dry, Everyday will tell you why, and for old times sake we'll meet up in the rain..." and "Cause I knew you hadn't planned everyday so understand, when you're tired of sugar dad, will I be here?" are two examples of the emotional lyrics.

The final bonus track titled Slade Talk To '19' Readers features the band speaking to their fans. This track was originally issued on flexi disc for the magazine in February 1974, following the album's release. There are snippets of a selection of Slade tracks from the album whilst the band leave messages throughout the snippets for their fans. The entire track gives a great feel for the time as well as the band's promotion of this album.

Slade's 1974 studio album was released to plenty of success, particularly in the UK where it topped the chart. The album was a hit throughout Europe and peaked at #8 in Australia. In America, the album was retitled Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet and peaked at #168 in America. Overall, Old New Borrowed and Blue continued the sound that Slade were popular for but also shown a slight change in musical direction.

I highly recommend this album for any rock fan. The remaster makes the album sound even more fresh and exciting that it already is. This was Slade's attempt at creating a follow-up to their previous 1972 album Slayed? but also adding some ballads to prove themselves as a varied creative force. The band succeeded and this album still remains popular today. Old New Borrowed and Blue is a strong album with many great highlights.

Slade was riding one of the great highs in rock history as `Old New Borrowed and Blue' hit the shops in early 1974. `Old New' was to me the last of the great Slade era as their later albums didn't seem to have as many memorable tunes on them - though they are of above average quality. The "My Friend Stan" single had initially debuted the previous fall so fans in a sense got a teaser for the new LP. `Old New' proved to the most diverse record the band had released including music hall, country and folksy balladry. Jim Lea also contributed a vocal in "When the Lights are Out". Other winners include rockers such as "My Town", "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof", "Just a Little Bit", "Good Time Gals" and my fav "Do We Still Do It". Speaking of that diversity; "Find Yourself a Rainbow" brings that old music hall feel while "How Can It Be" is more in the country mode (love this one too). "Everyday" is a classic ballad whose style would later be revisited in such anthemic songs as "My Oh My". As I previously stated, "Old New" was the last of a run of classic Slade records beginning with the live album and including all of their non-LP hits. Speaking of non-LP songs, "The Bangin' Man" has to be Slade most underrated single ever - this song is awesome, and it appears on this remaster. Britain's top hit makers from 1971-1974, unfortunately Slade had middling success in the States which I guess was our loss. No No No you're wrong child....

slade came up with a bunch of good stuff before this and arguably their best stuff, but this album has quite a few good tunes as well, do we still do it, good time gals, reminds me of alice coopers billion dollar babies, similar sound throughout a good mix of rockers and some you actually gotta sing.