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In the Army now and Rockin' all over the World... how terrible.
It is always astonishing how many people apparently only know these two radio hits from the band.
But there was also a long time before these two hits, which do not reflect the band's style anyway.
The lineup from the seventies is now, after over 30 years, back in Germany for the first time. After the spectacular "Frantic Four" gigs last year in England, the guys decided to play 3 gigs in Germany with the seventies formation.
Thus, there are currently two versions of Status Quo:
The Quo, who still tour the stages of the world year after year, and the old Quo, which insiders also call the "Frantic Four".
A few years ago, one could read in a book that the band spent 23 complete years of their lives on tour. One must want that.....
The opening act was Carl Carlton (guitarist of Peter Maffay).
He played with his two colleagues for 30 minutes, mostly acoustic music and a bit of blues. It was somehow not particularly fitting.
I often wonder why Germany often has such inappropriate supports. Whether good or bad is always in the eye of the beholder. In England, Quo had Eddie & the Hot Rods last year and this year on the FF tour, Wilko Johnson as support.
That sounds better to me somehow. Be that as it may....
After 30 minutes of the opening act and another good 30 minutes of setup time, the lights went out and the spoken intro from the legendary Status Quo live album from 1976 sounded.
"Is there anybody out there who wants to rock? Would you welcome..... and the curtain fell.
Quo started with "Juniors Wailing" in front of the familiar wall of Marshall and Vox AC 30 amps. Immediately following were "Backwater, Just take me" and after a brief introduction of the "old" band members came "Is there a better way".
What was immediately noticeable was that the groove is completely different from what one is used to from the current lineup. John Coughlan's drums come without many breaks and everything is played a tick slower.
Alan Lancaster on bass is, as before, the lead singer of the first 4 songs. Vocally, he is still in top form. Unfortunately, his poor health condition was noticeable. You can see the effort it takes for him to be on stage with his illness. All the more admirable that he takes on the strains of a tour once again.
Completely different with Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt. Unlike some other "old" bands, the guys still have plenty of power. It is a mystery to me how one can still play 50 - 100 such shows year after year at over 65 years old and after 50 years of band history. Truly astonishing.
A Keith Richards, on the other hand, seems like he is 120 years old.....
I also had the impression that the two had to hold back a bit to keep up with their old buddies on drums and bass. Because Quo usually plays live at an even higher tempo than the FF lineup.
Nevertheless, especially Rick Parfitt really went for it on his old Telecaster.
I have seen countless bands, but really very few rhythm guitarists have such a hard punch with their right hand and play so clockwork-like, without even the slightest fluctuation in tempo, as he does.
It was already noticeable that the band was playing their first gig with this lineup after their rehearsals in the last weeks. Everyone seemed quite focused at first, and a few small mistakes were inevitable. It is reassuring that even such old hands can mess up sometimes. But who really cares about that? Rather, such moments make a band somehow authentic. And they are definitely that.
The set consisted of well-known classics like "Down Down, Rain and 4500 Times", which are also played in the "modern" lineup.
But there were also songs to hear that have never been presented in the "current" lineup.
"Blue Eyed Lady, Oh Baby and Gotta Go Home" from the seventies are just as timeless as their other numbers and really get going.
You can't tell that any of these songs are already 40 years old.
After the two encores "Caroline" and the obligatory closing number "Bye Bye Johnny" by Chuck Berry, the curtain fell after 90 minutes.
It will probably have been the only and last opportunity to see the "Frantic Four" live again. Personally, I was a bit torn afterwards. Historically speaking, it was definitely a highlight to see the "Frantic Four" live once more.
Musically, I tend to prefer the current and familiar lineup from the last decades. In the end, there is definitely more power behind it, and everything feels more compact, even if you have to endure the 1-2 "radio numbers" there.
In the end, it is clear that Status Quo has definitely always been one of the best live bands and still is.
On record, the power that this band has live has, with few exceptions, never really been captured.
And they still have it at over 65 years old.
Straight rock'n'roll and boogie rock without much fuss.
Some musicians who are 40 years younger could take a page from that.
The question remains who is supposed to replace such rock'n'roll stalwarts like Status Quo.
They met in school, have gone their musical path unwaveringly for over 50 years, and have always remained true to themselves.
They have ignored and survived all possible trends, and at almost 70 years old, they are still standing together on stage in front of full halls.
You can think what you want about Status Quo. I say: Hats off!
Setlist:
Junior's Wailing
Backwater
Just Take Me
Is There a Better Way
In My Chair
Blue Eyed Lady
Little Lady
Most of the Time
Rain
(April) Spring, Summer & Wednesdays
Railroad
Oh Baby
4500 Times / Gotta Go Home
Big Fat Mama
Down Down
Roadhouse Blues
Encore:
Caroline
Bye Bye Johnny
Bilder
3 Bilder
