I feel old in reviewing this album today, as I remember buying it the week it came out in ’75. This was the band’s 8th studio album and contains the classic, Down Down, which almost everyone has loosened their dandruff to – it actually went to Number 1 in the charts. This album (and the one after) was Quo at their peak. They could do no wrong and sell out concerts wherever they went. They had found a formula with Paper Plane and they ran with it, and kept it going for all their career. I mean, how many times can you do a fast boogie? The answer is quite a lot apparently, as nearly every major hit they had (until the cheese set in) was a variation on the same chords and sound.
Quo are the perfect example for that old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I have a big soft spot for the Quo and this album and Blue For You are my favourites – the nostalgia factor is very high. The best tracks on the album are obviously Down Down, and a great cover of Chuck Berry’s Bye Bye Johnny. Happy days!
8/10 from The Grooveman.
