SLADE

 

SLADISM returned to London at the weekend with all the atmosphere of the big match. The intensity of their fans is incredible and poor Alex Harvey suffered from the audience's impatience to see their idols.

What a magnificent entrance the lads made. Two giant silver - slatted doors set in the stylish backdrop opened mechanically, and in they came, walking down on either Side of the stage. A lot of effort had been made to make sure everyone could see and hear. There was closed circuit television projecting on to a mammoth screen above the stage and an enormous P.A. (18,000 watts)

As soon as Take Me Bak Ome started the stage was showered with bras and panties (Or drawers as Noddy called them).The stalls became a solid throb of moving flesh.

With an audience like this Slade were in their element - 15,000 right arms pointing skywards in answer to Dave Hill's lead. And as Skweeze Me Pleeze Me is already number one the chorus was on everyone's lips with a totally convincing oooh-ew at the end of each line. All around the hall Slade banners were held between swaying arms as the community singing continued with You'll Never Walk Alone.

As usual the sound was tight, loud and clear after a small feedback problem in the first two numbers - Jimmy Lea's bass particularily filling the hall. The show closed with everyone totally exhausted and the sound of Mama Weer All Crazee ringing in their ears. Thank You Slade, you proved that it's possible to boogie at Earls Court.

 

 

A.Y.Bracers ~ Record Mirror ~ 07-07-1973