Very strange how Rossi now seems embarrassed by this period i thought for 8 years they were the best rock band around, i remember in 73 the band played the Castle pub in Tooting London , head banging and air guitar's we're down to the Quo.
1971 what a year !!!only in the early 70 s to come out a song like that !!!! . the magic is in 1970,71,72. the quality in 73,74,75 is great but diferent the next 76 , 77 is still possible to find good things .78 ,79 is very rare .
This is definitely the best version of this song to exist. It feels like it was meant to be fast-paced when it was originally written because it just sounds so GOOD here!
I agree that by picking the tempo up, ABBA have made a very striking version which really works, but more moderate paced covers like Leadbelly’s and the Creedence Clearwater Revival one are excellent too. I guess it’s a very versatile song, that works any way you want it.
I saw this when it first aired on TV. I had been a fan since my older brother saw Janis Joplin bring Johnny onstage in 1969. He bought Johnny's first LP. Then he bought Second Winter. Then I stole (!) Johnny Winter And from a record shop in New London, CT right when it came out. Then my friend gave me Still Alive and Well for my 12th birthday in 1973. Finally I saw Johnny, my first live concert, at his sold out Madison Square Garden in June 1974. Man, this blew away everything that ever occurred on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert before or after. Johnny was the real deal. No posing, just fierce down and dirty 3-piece rock action. I saw him pretty much every year after that for about 20 years. Last saw him in Helsinki in 2012, two years before he died. Even sitting on a stool and near totally immobile and blind, he played Highway 61 Revisited as the encore with ferocious dedication and speed. RIP Johnny!
No, Andy Bown didn't become an official member until 1982, though he was with them on stage since 1976, and on albums from 1977 onwards. He did play on one song in 1973, Blue Eyed Lady.
Whiteout were one of my favourites. Thought I knew all their songs but this one has eluded me all this time. Great to hear it eventually. Thanks for putting this up.
Really liked Whiteout and often wonder how some, clearly talented bands don't get the breaks they deserve. Seen them live a couple of times and thought they were a cool band. I'd never heard this session before so this was a great find. Cheers for putting this up.
@thebamfordman. You may already know this. Some years ago I heard Francis Rossi say in an interview that he would like to make a “country” album as a solo project. But he then said that what held him back was the fact that he would be rumbled as an “imposter”! Bob Young’s “country” treatments of some of the Quo favourites here are quite good IMHO. Then fast forward to the “Aquostic” albums and Francis, Rick (RIP) and the boys. Well, you’re almost there! Stay safe and well.
