|
NAZARETH ‘Razamanaz’ Snapper SDPCD168
NAZARETH ‘Rampant’ Snapper SDPCD169
These two Naz albums (their 3rd and 5th) really helped define the Scottish hard rockers’ sound. And a mighty fine job they did too.
Razamanaz, released in 1973, really helped make and break Nazareth, world-wide. A defining moment. And an energetic live feel in the production comes from Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover.
The opening title track is so hard, gritty and honest it grabs you by the throat from the opening note.
Throughout the album Manny Charlton’s guitar is classic, bluesy, rocking and mixes rough and smooth with perfection, while singer Dan McCafferty has that hard gravelly sound years before Brian Johnson came on the scene.
‘Woke Up This Morning’, a blues boogie number originally from their second album features some neat slide guitar, while the poppier ‘Bad Bad Boy’ and ‘Broken Down Angel’ were both top ten hits 31 years ago.*****
Three albums in 18 months, plus tours and BBC Radio 1 appearances, these guys could kick ass, and continued to do so on 1974’s Rampant. A bit more rock’n’roll, and in places a little smoother than Razamanaz, Roger Glover was still getting the best out of the band.
You only have to listen to 'Shanghai’d In Shanghai' and their great version of the Yardbird’s “Shapes Of Things” to realise what a classic this set was. As well as Glover’s production the album also features Purple’s Jon Lord on keyboards. ****
Both albums have been reissued many times, but these come in digipaks with some great packaging and sleevenotes, and without the unnecessary plethora of edits (fake single versions etc) that have plagued earlier CDs.
Given that these two sets have formed the staple of most concerts and compilations ever since, they deserve to be heard in full, as originally intended.
Review by Joe Geesin
Related>> Album review
Related>> Album reissues
|
