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Rating: If someone today asked you who are the true dinosaurs of hard rock, who, among all the bands of the '70s, truly inspired the cheeky and immediate sound of groups like AC/DC, I think few of you would have any doubts in answering Nazareth!
In fact, Nazareth, originally from Scotland, had the merit of winking at overseas blues-tinged hard rock sounds, anticipating the sounds of Angus & co. by a decade, embedding in their riffs the explosive power of the most sincere and compact hard rock, mixed with the most raw and rocky rock'n'roll and a good dose of blues, moreover supported by intelligent songwriting and sometimes very introspective.
It is interesting to note how even McCafferty's voice, with its dirty and high-pitched tone, unmistakably recalls some sacred monsters of hard rock beyond to come. And with that, I am referring to Brian Johnson himself and I dare to say also to Axl Rose in certain passages - in this regard, the Guns N' Roses cover of "Hair Of The Dog" takes on an interesting meaning -.
And certainly "Razamanaz," the third studio effort by Nazareth, is the most complete, most genuine work, without a doubt a milestone in the genre, capable of capturing you at the first listen, moving you and shaking you deep within your guts.
Manny Carlton, author of most of the songs, admittedly, is able to deliver power and sweetness, carefree and depth in his work on the six strings and banjo, building unmatched musical moments starting from the title track - which is also the opening track - "Razamanaz", a true sound manifesto of the group, a condensation of truly enviable electricity and energy. In short, a piece from the rock anthology.
Followed by two covers: "Alcatrazz" by Leon Russell, tireless sessionman of the '70s rock blues scene, with its blues flirtations and driving, naughty rhythm, and "Vigilante Man", a reinterpretation of an old Woody Guthrie song, undoubtedly one of the most delicate moments of the entire package, introduced by a dreamy, soothing slide and supported by a heart-wrenching pace and an amazing vocal performance by McCafferty, that vibrates powerfully in your limbs. After the captivating mid-tempo "Woke Up This Morning", which exudes freshness and energy without ever tiring, here we are, in my opinion, at the other sweetest moment of the platter in question. The tribal rhythm - interesting bass/drum work by the Sweet & Agnew combo - and Charlton's wah-wah make "Night Woman" a true poem, and create a delightful and delicate feeling.
Impressive tracklist that continues to unveil brilliant moments like "Bad Bad Boy", a nice, catchy rock'n'roll with Charlton's usual acid guitar, "Too Bad Too Sad", with a nice ignorant bluesy riff and "Broken Down Angel", another piece with an incredibly lively groove and yet another pearl of sweetness "Sold My Soul": a sort of desperate confession, embellished by a simple but very effective melodic guitar line, which strikes straight and inescapably, supported by a stunning text (I looked to the Lord in heaven/ but he must have looked away/ my crying eyes repented/ please send her love to light my day / so I cried in desperation/bowed to evil sorcery/ I sold my soul to the devil).
In short, it seems superfluous to add more. Or rather, no!
WE GONNA RAZAMANAZ ALL NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!!!!!
See Ya!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Razamanaz (03:52)
We've got to get it together
You bring the wine, we'll bring the weather
We haven't come to be clever
Let's make it now cause this could be never
Were gonna Razamataz ya tonight
Were gonna Razamataz ya all night
Razamataz Razamataz up on your feet
Let's see ya dance, dance, dance
Now that we've come to a showdown
We won't allow you a second to slow down
The moment has come to deliver
You as the taker, and we as the giver
Were gonna Razamataz ya tonight
Were gonna Razamataz ya all night
Razamataz Razamataz up on your feet
Let's see ya dance, dance, dance
All of the world loves a raver
We're playin for ravers who savor the flavor
You all appear calm and collected
Razamanazin� you never expected
Were gonna Razamataz ya tonight
Were gonna Razamataz ya all night
Razamataz Razamataz up on your feet
Let's see ya dance, dance, dance
Were gonna Razamataz ya tonight
Were gonna Razamataz ya all night
Razamataz Razamataz up on your feet
Let's see ya dance, dance, dance
02 Alcatraz (04:23)
Now lay me down on market street
I’m lookin’ for some spare change
A coast guard ship has been lookin’ for me
And I might have to change my name
Here comes Uncle Sam again with the same old bag of beans
The local chief’s on the radio
He’s got some hungry mouths to feed
Goin back to Alcatraz
Lay me back down here on the highway
One hundred and one ways to go
Solitary is so confinin’
To the legend of Geronimo
Oh I know I could bring the rain
Used to dance for ABC
And all the braves down on death row
Are pretending to be free
Back home in Alcatraz
In the land of the great white father
My American blood runs cold
I left my home in Oklahoma
To the Everglades I go
It’s just the wings on the silver cars
And I’m allowed to plow a field
It’s not the life for a nineteen seventy
(What's an)Indian boy to do
Goin’ back to Alcatraz
Lay me down on market street
I’m lookin for some spare change
A coast guard ship has been lookin’ for me
Might have to change my name
Here comes Uncle Sam again with the same old bag of beans
Local chief’s on the radio
He’s got some hungry mouths to feed
Goin’ back to Alcatraz
Here comes Uncle Sam again with the same old bag of beans
Local chief’s on the radio
He’s got some hungry mouths to feed
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
Goin back to Alcatraz
03 Vigilante Man (05:21)
Have you seen that vigilante man
Have you seen that vigilante man
Have you seen that vigilante man
I’ve been hearin’ his name all over this land
Lonely nights down in the engine house
Sleepin’ just as still as a mouse
Man comes home, chase the crowds in the rain
That’s a vigilante man
Vigilante man
Vigilante man
Well I ramble around from town to town
Ramble ‘round from town to town
And they hunted us a while like a wild herd of cattle
That’s a vigilante man
Tell me why does that vigilante man
Tell me why does that vigilante man
Carry that sawed off shotgun in his hand
Would he shoot his brother and sister down
Have you seen that vigilante man
Have you seen that vigilante man
Have you seen that vigilante man
I’ve been hearin’ his name all over this land
Vigilante man
Vigilante man
Vigilante man
Vigilante man
Vigilante man
Vigilante man
09 Broken Down Angel (03:45)
She used to be someone you could depend on
To brighten up your coldest winter day
But the one she leaned upon
Let her down, now has moved on
And morning brings another empty day
Now she's only a broken down angel
She's only a bird that's broke her wing
She's only someone, somone who's gone wrong
She's only a child that's lost her way
She used to be a girl of simple pleasures
A breath of spring to chase your blues away
But now she bears a cross, for a love that she has lost
No sunshine in her life just clouds of gray
Now she's only a broken down angel
She's only a bird that's broke her wing
She's only someone, somone who's gone wrong
She's only a child that's lost her way
She's only a broken down angel
She's only a bird that's broke her wing
She's only someone, somone who's gone wrong
She's only a child that's lost her way
Now she's only a broken down angel
She's only a bird that's broke her wing
She's only someone, somone who's gone wrong
She's only a child that's lost her way
10 Hard Living (03:03)
Hard living, every day of my life
Hard living, every night on the wine
Never givin', any one any time
Always losin', all I had all the time
Yes I'm a selfish kinda man
All I need is a helping hand
Bad loser, never had anyone
Bad chooser, never owed never won
Fast mover, everyday on the run
Never knowing, if I feel or I'm done
Hard living, every day of my life
Hard drinking, every night on the wine
(Agnew, Charlton, McCafferty, Sweet)
Mountain Music/Carlin Music
1972 Nazareth (Dunfermline) Ltd.
11 Spinning Top (03:06)
(Agnew, Charlton, McCafferty, Sweet)
Mountain Music/Carlin Music
1972 Nazareth (Dunfermline ) Ltd.
My head's moving like a spinning top
How in the world do I make it stop?
'Round and 'round and faster still
I'm gonna live till I had my fill.
Goin' wrong and turn around
You're gonna find me in the lost and found.
Bright lights, that's my style
Don't be goin' awhile
Got no time for sittin' 'round
Tops are livin' proof to be found.
Ain't gonna wait another day
Pack my bags and get on my way.
My head's moving like a spinning top
How in the world do I make it stop?
'Round and 'round and faster still
I'm gonna live till I had my fill.
Goin' wrong and turn around
You're gonna find me in the lost and found.
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