I’ve been a Naz fan since being a young “whippersnapper” in the early 1970s watching Top of the Pops and seeing a hairy bunch performing My White Bicycle, This Flight Tonight and the other early hits which gave Nazareth a boost up the greasy pole. If I recall (probably not now……it’s been a while since those days) I saved up my pocket money, bought Loud ‘n’ Proud and everything since through thick and thin.
Nazareth have done it all. Huge success, a mid-career slump then blasted back with the superb No Jive and right up to Rock and Roll Telephone which was a fine way to mark the enforced retirement of legendary vocalist Dan McCafferty. Which sort of brings me to the point – No Means of Escape.
What we have here is a DVD of the band performing energetically at the teeny-tiny Metropolis Studios in London in front of a select and equally enthusiastic crowd in November 2014. The performance is notable as it features Linton Osborne – the man recruited to follow McCafferty. Osborne’s stay in Nazareth was short-lived for whatever reason although here he shows what a fine set of pipes he has.
Delivers the songs in his own style which I found to be both relaxed yet powerful. Never going to be Dan, would have been wrong to try to be and Linton puts it in to fine effect. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for him though he can be proud of what he shows here on the DVD.
The thirteen songs is edited down from the full set and there’s plenty to enjoy spanning pretty much the band’s career save for the wilderness years. Performed with power and passion enough to keep the old time fans (like me) happy or a nice introduction to how rock music should be played for the unfamiliar. They do not make them like Nazareth any more. Pity.
The heavy bluesy fuzz riff of Silver Dollar Forger (right up there in my opinion with their finest), the surprise of Sleeptalker, the right up to date of Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone, the unmistakable riffola of Razamanaz, the crunching Hair of the Dog (heavy has hell) and the blistering Expect No Mercy are the personal highlights for me. Storming stuff indeed. A fine band on fine form with a true hour of power. Masterclass.
I found this video on YouTube of them belting out When the Light Comes Down. Impressive huh? It’s not on the DVD but gives you a taste of how good it is and how well they played on the night.
Why the full set is not included I do not know. Perhaps it was to leave room for the extras and the near three hour total running time. Those extras consist largely of a documentary about the history of Nazareth then separate interviews with Pete Agnew and Dan McCafferty. There is a fair bit of duplication and little insight for the old time fans though, again, the uninitiated might find it interesting to get an overview of a long successful rock band and the influence they’ve had over others along the way.
The live performance is, in my opinion, top notch. In particular Linton Osborne. After starting way, way back in the 1960s, here’s visible proof that Nazareth remain skill full, musically adept, relevant and consummately professional even after losing the unique and unforgettable vocal prowess of Dan McCafferty.
Do not let No Means of Escape, er, escape you! A “must have” for the DVD collection. Watch it when there’s nothing on TV. So most nights then……
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