Noddy Holder 2010
Pop Music’s Next Knight? Arise, Sir Noddy Holder
RSSLens 17.07.2010:
"Not that I was pondering who is likely to be the next rock star to be knighted. After all, there’s been Cliff, Macca, Jagger, Elton and St Bob. No, I just happened to be playing the brand new Slade Live at the BBC double disc yesterday afternoon and, overwhelmed by the music, the thought struck me that what we have here is a bona fide National Treasure.
As clear as day is the thought that Nod should be recognised in an appropriate manner for his services to rock’n'roll, checked trousers, stack boots and top hats with mirrors on them. Oh, and for services to show business.
Ignore the fact that Max Bygraves and Brucie should also get one, we’re talking here of rock’s next knight, for there will be another in due course, won’t there?
So, then I began wondering who could prevent Nod from getting one.
...
No, there is only one clear candidate. Sir Neville John Holder. Do you know anyone who doesn’t love Slade? I don’t necessarily mean that they’re anyone’s favourite band, but he’s surely rock’n'roll’s Stephen Fry. Everyone loves Nod, don’t they?
There is no greater song that espouses good old-fashioned family values and unity than Merry Xmas Everybody, is there? It’s not a song you’ll find on the aforementioned BBC album, being that the sessions within date from their pre-Bacofoil years of 1969 to 1972.
I told you on Tuesday that it was going to take something special to get Scott Walker off my turntable. Well, they don’t come much more special than Nod and the Slade.
Disc one is a mostly great selection of psych-rockers, Quoesque boogiers, pop songs and the odd ballad. Great covers too, particularly Traffic’s ‘Coloured Rain’, Janis Joplin’s ‘Move Over’, Moby Grape’s ‘Omaha’ and Fairport Convention’s ‘It’s Alright Ma, It’s Only Witchcraft’.
Boy, is this a band I’d love to have seen in their pomp, and in their pomp is pretty much where we find them on disc two, on 17th August 1972, a month away from their third number one. A blistering eleven-track live set of stomping rock’n’rollers thrashed to within an inch of their lives ~ punk rock in all but name. We get a sensational world premiere of Mama Weer all Crazee Now and an absolute masterclass from Nod in winning over an audience. He has them banqueting out of his hand (apart from the ‘erbert at the back shouting “rubbish”!).
This is a magnificent album. Can’t recommend it too highly.
Oh and a message to Gordon. If you’ve only got six months to save your career, this could be a great feel-good vote winner. Sir Noddy ~ you know it makes sense."