The World

This single release is taken from their 1970 LP Lucky Planet, recorded at Trident Studios. The CD Reissue. Written by Neil Innes who also supplies Lead vocals, piano and guitar. Bass by Dennis Cowan, Ian Wallace on Drums and Roger McKew on guitar. Obviously, this was a very current release when Slade covered it for Play It Loud. For more information about The World, click on here and here. Neil Innes had also been part of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, appearing in The Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour and the TV comedies, Do Not Adjust Your Set, Monty Python's Flying Circus and spin-offs, Rutland Weekend TV and The Rutles. The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles, also released a couple of albums and a single, highlighting the songwriting talents of Neil Innes. The Rutles LP I Must Be In Love 7" Maxi-Single. The Rutles Archeology CD next page

Play It Loud 1970

Polydor Records - 2382-026

This was the first album the group recorded as Slade and it was the first album produced by Chas Chandler. Released in the UK on 28/11/1970 it used the bands new skinhead image to make an impact. The band certainly made an impact, albeit negative, but in terms of sales and chart position the record did very little.

Play It Loud features mainly self-written songs at Chandler's insistence (some of which turn up later on the Sladest compilation) and drummer Don Powell features as one of the main co-writers. It's a shame he didn't stick with it because his songs have an earthy grit and longevity that keeps them sounding good to this day.

The songs on this album show early signs of the developing talent the band had. Noddy Holder is just starting to stretch his vocals. See Us Here, has some great bass, Dapple Rose featuring violin, both played by Jim Lea of course, and Dirty Joker with it's funky chicken scratch guitar work. Far more promising though, the awesome power of both Sweet Box and I Remember, which hint at the shape of things to come.

Express & Star: 31st October 1970

The group appeared on Disco 2 to promote the album. They made three appearances in 1970. The first featured Shape Of Things To Come and the second in October featured Know Who You Are and Sweetbox and was broadcast in colour. All three performances of Slade are, at present, missing.

New Musical Express: December 19th 1970

SLADE: PLAY IT LOUD (Polydor, 2383 026, 42s 6d)

Aggresive - that's what the music and vocalising of Slade seems to be, though they vary the volume with great skill, at times quiet, then turning it up and shouting at the listener as in Know Who You Are. They also bark out a love song to Angelina, and get a good rhythm going with handclaps on Dirty Joker, and on Sweet Box they attack the music ferociously with guitars and voices.

Of the more tuneful items (and tune isn't given much of a chance on most tracks) is Could I. The lead vocalist is inclined to shout too much, but then, maybe that is the appeal of the group. Pity their names and the instrument they play aren't mentioned on the sleeve, where only their pictures appear. Chas Chandler gets the credit of producing. AE.

Other titles: Raven, See Us Here, Dapple Rose, One Way Hotel, Shape Of Things To Come, I Remember, Pouk Hill.

• Raven
• See Us Here
• Dapple Rose
• Could I
• One Way Hotel
• The Shape Of Things To Come
• Know Who You Are
• I Remember
• Pouk Hill
• Angelina
• Dirty Joker
• Sweet Box

The cover art is here 8.57 MB

* Special thanks to Chris 'The Historian' Selby for the clippings.

Next Page

Raven
(Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell)

Tell Raven that it's fatal, chasing everything that glitters.
Colour breeds a shadow, he doesn't miss a single thing.

Gold and silver party stone, he doesn't leave a thing alone.
Bound to win every hour. Flies to his lofty tower.
Storing the spoils of the fruits of his toils.
He did well on the side of the roundabout flying.

Often you'll see the Raven, flapping wings and calling loudly.
Doesn't care what others feel, thinks he has the right to steal.

Gold and silver party stone, he doesn't leave a thing alone.
Bound to win every hour. Flies to his lofty tower.
Storing the spoils of the fruits of his toils.
He did well on the side of the roundabout flying.

See Us Here
(Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell)

See us here, see us there, pick us out anywhere.
Take a look, we're everywhere, so what makes you stop and stare?
Look at them there, their eyes bent to the ground,
Trying to see their way around.
Don't try to confuse me.

Take our time, take our care, don't break our hole from anywhere
Ain't got time to shed a tear
What we want we'll take from here
Look at them there, their eyes bent to the ground,
Find it hard to move around.
You dare not accuse me.

We'll never get a chance to be left alone - this way, hey hey
Never get a chance to be left alone.
Can't I get it through that I'm on my own?

See us here, see us there, pick us out anywhere.
You can see us everywhere, so what makes you stop and stare?
Look at them there, their eyes bent to the ground,
Trying to see my way around.
Don't try to accuse me.

Could I
(Jimmy Griffin & Robb Royer)

I could I could I keep you come burn you could
I could I could I keep you so have you get
I could I could I make you feel really fine
We could we could we make love this time
We could we could we make love so fine

You're old enough to know from where we come
And where we go and what we're here for
What do you feel for
It's hard enough to bear the thought in mind
But now you're there and then you're gone
Let's get it on

I could I could I keep you come burn you could
I could I could I keep you so have you get
I could I could I make you feel really fine
We could we could we make love this time
We could we could we make love so fine

You never really tried to let yourself be satisfied
And don't deny it until you try it
You've played the game so long
You think that life goes on and on
You better use it before you lose it

So fine
You're old enough to know from where we come
And where we go and what we're here for

You never really tried to let yourself be satisfied
And don't deny it

I Remember
(Jim Lea & Don Powell)

Coming up fast on a different line I was early for once
Stop so I looked all around at the chance and I was early for once
Won't take long to get out of this place
Got to take a chance decide my own fate

It's clear now to see the only past left for me is what the future brings
I'm sadly alone and when I'm all on my own my baby gets to moan
She can't recess me for my name and address
I stumbled for thought at its simple request

(Chorus)
I remember it
I take a long deep look at the things that I took but it still isn't clear

My kid said hello and I didn't reply you see my memory was gone
That the fire in the grass it just wiped out my past and my memory's gone
Won't take long to get out of this place
Got to take a chance decide my own fate

(Chorus)
I remember it
I take a long deep look at the things that I took but it still isn't clear

Pouk Hill
Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell)

Did you see us?
We were there, standing bare, with our arms in the air -
Did you see us?
Did you see us?
We were there, standing still, and the temperature was nil -
Did you see us?
Stood in a line.
Dick took a shot and he got us.
And he got us

Did you help us?
Sypathize with us?
Please help we
Pouk Hill is tall, always will be.
Pouk Hill is older than you and me
Than you and me

You passed us by, - not a second glance
Bluer than blue -
We were froze' to the bone, 
Couldn't wait to be home
In the firelight.
We were warm there
As we sat by the fire, getting higher and higher,
Really cool there
Stood in a line.
Dick took a shot and he got us.
And he got us

Did you help us,
Criticise us?
Please help we
Pouk Hill is tall, always will be
Pouk Hill is older than you and me
Than you and me

Angelina
( Neil Innes )

I don't wanna do you no harm
But sometimes I feel the weight of the world
It's so heavy and it's bringing me down
And I need you, I need you, girl

Come little Angelina
I don't wanna do you no harm
Take me where the grass is greener
Take me where the sea is calm
All I want is you
Take me in your arms and give me love

(Hoo shoo shoo come)
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
All I want is you
Take me in your arms and give me love

Angelina, Angelina, love me, love me
Angelina, Angelina, love me, wanna love you

Come little Angelina
Don't want that you hurt me
Take me where the air is cleaner

Take me where the wind blows free
All I want is you
Take me in your arms and give me love
Give me love Give me love

(Hoo shoo shoo come)
Give me love Give me love
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
Need your love
Want your love
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
Hey, All I want is you
Take me in your arms and give me love
I need your love, need your love
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
Every day and every now
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
Want your love, want your love
(Hoo shoo shoo come)
Hey, all I want is you
Take me in your arms and give me love
(Hoo shoo shoo come)...

Dirty Joker
(Jim Lea & Don Powell)

He's a dirty joker
He's a dirty joker all through the day
Makes me do as he says
He's mine all the time never wanting to go

This way or that way
This way or that way which way to go
Will I take the right track
Yet he's mine all the time never wanting to go

He calls from his side
Mine is the problem to decide
He knows the weakness I've got
Doesn't it stand out on my face

What a dirty joker
What a dirty joker try to make himself clean
What a fancy powder
You can tell from his smell that he's just like a queen

He calls from his side
Mine is the problem to decide
He knows the weakness I've got
Doesn't it stand out on my face

Ohhh-oh

Ohhh-oh

[Break]

He's a dirty joker
He's a dirty joker all through the day
Makes me do what he says
Yet he's mine all the time never wanting to go

He calls from his side
Mine is the problem to decide
He knows the weakness I've got
Doesn't it stand out on my face

Ohhh-oh

Ohhh-oh

Sweet Box
(Jim Lea & Don Powell)

( FIVE! SHADE! SIX! SIZE! CUT! OUT! )

Put me in your sweet box
I'm coming along in your sweet box
Do I have to take all night to get there

I saw in the load on your back light
What I saw through my glasses was alright
Do I have to take all night to get there

( FIVE! SHADE! SIX! SIZE! CUT! OUT! )

[Break]

Put me in your sweet box
I'm coming along in your sweet box
Do I have to take all night to get there

In your sweet box

I saw in the load on your back light
What I saw through my glasses was alright
Do I have to take all night to get there

In your sweet box

( FIVE! SHADE! SIX! SIZE! CUT! OUT! )

Know Who You Are 1970

Polydor Records - 2058-054

Slade's Polydor debut released on the 18th September 1970, a clear two months before the album, Play It Loud, got a release. It was written by Slade and produced by Chas Chandler but the song is a re-recorded version of their debut Fontana single, Genesis, which was recorded as Ambrose Slade. That version was an instrumental piece, self-produced along with Roger Wake, using stormy wind-like sound effects to conjure up a musical maelstrom.

On this version, lyrics replace the sound effects and Noddy Holder's extremely nasally vocal does a very effective job. Also worth a mention are Dave Hill's strange but effective vocal effects on the outro. Despite the powerful and catchy, sing-along chorus the record failed to chart.

The B-side is a beautiful 'ode to a horse' featuring some wonderful violin from young James Lea. This melancholy ballad tells the tale of a once impressive horse that has come to the end of it's useful life. The violin melody empathises with the horses fate in a manner that guarantees a lump in the throat of even the burliest of souls. This release would have been one to kill for had the two tracks not been included on the Play It Loud album?

Red Vinyl Bootleg Single!

https://www.popsike.com/SLADE-Know-Who-You-AreDapple-Rose-7-RED-VINYL-Polydor-45-Rare-Ambrose-UK-Glam/141591681404.html

New Musical Express: 19th September 1970

"SLADE: Know Who You Are (Polydor)

A powerful item from the skinhead group, making it's Polydor debut. The lyric is forcefully delivered, virtually snarled at times. It's a hard-hitting piece of philosophy with a walloping beat, which explodes into a wall of sound in the title hook. Insistent and gripping, but limited in its appeal."

"SLADE: Know Who You Are: Dapple Rose (Polydor 2058 054). Chas Chandler, ex-Animal bassist, states categorically that this group will make it. But then he's said that before. About Jimi Hendrix. Lost momentarily in a skin-head scene, this group is basically most musicianly. This is a strange, staccato sort of production ... lead voice stamping, as in bovver boots, on the lyrics. Stark simplicity behind. The effect is very good indeed. Darned near slayed me - CHART CHANCE."

(This Picture Sleeve is taken from the"Forgotten Songs" blog spot.)

 UK Apple double-sided Acetate.

next page

Radio Nordring, Helgoland 1970

International Sommerradio August 15th, 1970

"Late summer of 1970, a newborn Slade headed for Germany to play the Pop & Beat Koncert Festival in Nordseehalle, Helgoland on August 15th. Golden Earring, Pan and Made In Sweden were among the many other groups who also played at the festival. Radio Nordring sent in excerpts from the festival the same day on Danemark Radio's P1 as 'Radio Nordring, Helgoland - International Sommerradio'. "

Prior to this occasion, the BBC had always sent a singer to represent Britain. The previous year had seen Clodagh Rogers in the role but Slade were the first British group. The festival of song was apparently broadcast over most of Europe according to the media. Remember that this was the Europe of 1970, somewhat different than today due to politics and a certain wall.

Express & Star: Thursday 20th August 1970

The Nordring, Heligoland (notice how we add an i.) recordings are Dutch, but they were aired on Danish radio. DANSK BEAT was Denmark's most upfront radio show for some time, Showcasing 'so-called' Beat Music, it invited each week, a Danish beat group into the studio with the edict of broadcasting 'the sound of now' (my understanding of their philosophy, not their words). DANSK BEAT (the radio program) began in 1969 on Thursday September 4th and the shows were generally produced and recorded in RADIOHUSET, Studio 11, Copenhagen, by Erik Boseholm and later, by Freddy Hansson and others.

Express & Star: Thursday 20th August 1970

Apart from DANSK BEAT, there were pre-announced recordings by Danish and foreign bands of the time. All shows are documented using Danish National Radio "white programmes" which were forwarded to the press.

The Pop & Beat Koncert Festival was aired live from Radio Nordring on Helgoland in Germany all over Europe including Denmark. The show had to be broadcast from Helgoland as it was the only place from where all the countries could receive a radio signal. The show was billed as a European "event" where rock groups from 7 countries were invited to play. Slade were featured on a BBC radio programme 'Pop Music From Europe' hosted by Chris Grant a month later. It's unsure whether this is a recorded broadcast or a seperate event?

Express & Star: 26th September 1970

Slade represented England at Helgoland but there is no indication as to why they were chosen. They had no hit records at the time and few bookings because of their skinhead image. They had done a lot of Radio One studio sessions though and were very well liked for their professional behaviour. It is possible that they were being helped through their transition. Their hair needed time to grow back and Europe did not have such strong feelings against skinheads. It's possible that Chandler called in a few favours and got them this opportunity.

I think the Danish radio station DR P1* that aired the show in Denmark is the only radio station that has the show on tape as they would have recorded it "What the fuck is wrong with being a skin head?" It was broadcast directly to the entire European continent at that moment. One to search for, a recording of that would be a great find?

while it was being broadcast. The radio station had to include a break in the show between 11 p.m. and 11.10 p.m. in order to make room for the Danish news, so what was aired after 11.10 p.m. was with a 10 minutes delay. The broadcast also included live interviews with the bands and during Slade's chat, the guys got asked about their skinhead looks and Don got himself kicked out of the studio for saying

Featuring a unique version of Hear Me Calling including 'that siren', a splendid rendition of Shape Of Things To Come and an energetic performance of Know Who You Are. this may be a short set but it's essential.

"I first heard the tracks, around '72, there were three that were included on a cassette tape of a show that seemed to only feature three tracks from each band. I remember Golden earring had 5 tracks but they were the head-liners.

Researching decades later, my understanding is that the band never played a full set, just a three track showcase that was broadcast live on air.

There is very little information to be found but I did get in contact with Golden Earring fans and they told me the same thing... my gut feeling is that we have it all."
Dave Graham

"Don Powell told me the band "used to love going to Heligoland because they sold the cheapest booze and fags so they'd stock up".
Stu Rutter

• Hear Me Calling
• Shape Of Things To Come
• Know Who You Are

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Slade Archive 02.rar Filesize: 15.01 MB

*DR P1 is currently billed as "thought-provoking radio": factual programming, reports, discussion and debate on public affairs, society and the community, plus in-depth news.

Thanks to Claus Rasmussen, whose documentation supplied the info, and Lise Lyng Falkenberg who supplied the translation and explanation. For her Slade blogposts from her own personal blog, also click on here .

Next Page

B4 Slade

Unreleased & Rare Recordings 1966 - 1972

In 1969 Chas Chandler (The Animals) took the position of manager for Ambrose Slade. Chandler shortened their name to Slade & told them to write more of their own material. He also suggested they go for the new "skinhead" image. Prior to Cos I Luv You reaching No.1 in the charts in November 1971 the band were working hard to get heard on the radio. The success of that song written by Holder & Lea established a successful writing team, which made the group the most successful in the UK since the Beatles, probably deprived the rock world of some interesting musical development.

In order to get the necessary airplay, the band, in there various guises, recorded many of the cover numbers they were performing in their live act at the time. Comin' Home, a Delaney & Bonnie track, was intended for inclusion on the Slade Alive album. Most of the tracks were recorded at the BBC Studios for radio exposure. The P. Dello penned 'Honeybus' cover, 'Delighted To See You' was part of an Abbey Road session for EMI on the back of Kim Fowley's interst in the band. It finally came to light in the 90's on a little known EMI release 'Psychedelia at Abbey Road'.

You Better Run (Cavalierre & Brigatti) & Evil Witchman were originally released by The 'N Betweens 0n the 2nd December 1966 as a 7" single, Columbia DB8080, produced by Kim Fowley. Evil Witchman is credited to Fowley & Slade but it was musically plagiarised from The Artwoods 'I Take What I Want', a song that the group played in their live set. You Better Run was also part of their live set and was originally performed by The Young Rascals. Fowley also produced Security (Otis Redding) released by The 'N Betweens on a promo 7" single, Highland Records 1173, in the US.

Nights In White Satin, penned by Justin Hayward and originally performed by The Moody Blues, was recorded for BBC Radio 1's 'In Session Tonight' around 1969 and probably as Ambrose Slade although that is unconfirmed.

Wild Winds Are Blowing (Winsley & Saker) & One Way Hotel (Lea, Holder & Powell) are from the original mono Fontana Records 7" released 24th October 1969 as TF 1056. Produced by Chas Chandler for Montgrove and performed as The Slade. One Way Hotel is the original version, not the later Polydor recording.

Getting Better is a Lennon & MaCartney number, originally by The Beatles of course, recorde circa 1969 probably as Ambrose Slade. Comin' Home, written and performed by Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, Coloured Rain (Winwood, Capaldi & Wood) originally by Traffic, This Is The Season (Hutchings, Nicol, Thompson, Lamble, Dyble & Matthews) recorded by Fairport Convention, recorded at the BBC Studios for Radio 1 'In Session Tonight' circa 1970. Omaha, written by Skip Spence and originally recorded by Moby Grape, recorded for 'In Session Tonight' on 25th April 1970 for broadcast on 24th of August 1970 on The Mike Harding Show. The BBC recordings disappeared long ago but fortunately the broadcasts were recorded. The reception was not great and in places dropped out completely and I have edited and in the case of Omaha, rebuilt a section to, hopefully, improve the listening experience. The original material can be found on the 'Short Hair, Big Boots' bootleg.

• The N'Betweens - You Better Run
• The N'Betweens - Evil Witchman
• The N'Betweens - Security
• The N'Betweens - Delighted To See You
• Ambrose Slade - Nights In White Satin
• The Slade - Wild Winds Are Blowin’
• The Slade - One Way Hotel
• Slade - Getting Better
• Slade - Coloured Rain
• Slade - Omaha
• Slade - Comin’ Home
• Slade - This Is The Season
• Slade - C’mon C’mon
• Slade - Gospel According To Rasputin
• Slade - Do You Want Me
• Slade - My Life Is Natural
• Slade - Candidate
• Slade - Man Who Speeks Evil
• Slade - Wonderin’ Y

next page

Before Slade.....

The Band had played an enormous repertoire of Cover Versions, some were recorded as the 'N Betweens and Ambrose Slade, but many songs had only ever been heard at the live gigs. As no tapes of these performances seem to exist, these songs need listing for posterity. Thanks to lists on Ian Edmundson's website, www.slayed.co.uk I have put together the following list of Cover Versions never released, encompassing the Band's career from The 'N Betweens (Mk. II), through Ambrose Slade and Slade!

Please, if you know of any more, let us know in the comments column below, so we can update the list?

Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
See-Saw - Don Covay
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever - The Four Tops

Boney Maronie - Larry Williams

Sweet Little Rock 'N' Roller - Chuck Berry

For Your Love - The Yardbirds

Going Back - Dusty Springfield

Groovin' - The Young Rascals

Colouring Book - Barbra Streisand / Dusty Springfield

It's The Same Old Song - The Four Tops

Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - Aretha Franklin

Gloria - Them

Shapes Of Things - The Yardbirds

Sixty Minutes Of Your Love - Homer Banks

The Letter - The Box Tops

Waiting For The Bus - ZZ Top

Hot Love - T. Rex

Whole Lotta Woman - Marvin Rainwater

Yellow Bird - The Brothers Four / Arthur Lyman

You Keep Me Hangin' On - Diana Ross And The Supremes

Reach Out, I'll Be There - The Four Tops

I Hear A Symphony - Diana Ross And The Supremes

Cherry, Cherry - Neil Diamond

I Saw Her Last Night - The Mamas And Papas

Monday, Monday - The Mamas And Papas

Land Of A Thousand Dances - Chris Kenner

Green Onions - Booker T. And The M.G.'s

Put Yourself In My Place - The Elgins

Beggin' - Timebox

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - The Beatles

She Comes In Colours - Love

Take A Look - Irma Thomas

Theme From "Skippy The Bush Kangaroo "
I Can't Help Myself - The Four Tops
My Girl - The Temptations
Put Yourself In My Place - The Isley Brothers
Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins / Elvis Presley
Whole Lotta Shakin' - Jerry Lee Lewis
Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry / The Beatles
Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny / The Shadows 
Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy - The Tams
Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
Lucille - Little Richard

Whole Lotta Lovin' - Fats Domino

Smoke On The Water - Deep Purple

Spirit In The Sky - Norman Greenbaum

Hell's Bells - A.C. / D.C.
Rescue Me - Fontella Bass
I Can't See Nobody - The Bee Gees
A Fool Such As I - Elvis Presley - ( Blessings In Disguise, with vocals by Noddy Holder )
I'll Never Get Over You - Johnny Kidd And The Pirates / Freddie And The Dreamers - ( The Dummies )

Move It - Cliff Richard And The Shadows - ( Dave Hill )

Tiger Feet - Mud - ( Noddy Holder with Pete's Pop Band ) 

Son Of My Father - Chicory Tip - ( Noddy Holder)

I'm The Leader Of The Gang ( I Am ) - Gary Glitter - ( Noddy's Joke! )

(Thanks to Ian Edmundson, for giving me his very kind permission to reprint material from his website!)