NAZARETH – Close Enough For Rock ‘N’ Roll [remastered reissue 2022] HQ *Exclusive*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

As requested, here’s another NAZARETH classic album; 1976’s “Close Enough For Rock ‘N’ Roll“. While not included into the recent Japanese reissue campaign on SHM-CD, this 2022 European remastered reissue sounds awesome, clear and defined.
Recorded and released in the aftermath of the band’s greatest success in early 1976, Nazareth take some chances with their sound here – always a good thing as it shakes a band from getting stale and can add to the longevity of the group, but therein lies a risk. The ‘raw’ Nazareth from early albums is still present, but there’s a more melodic orientation too, such as the commercial ‘Carry Out Feelings’.

That aside, the album opens with a true Nazareth classic in “Telegram”. Broken up into four parts, this served as their set opener for a VERY long time afterwards and deservedly so. A mini-concept piece that painfully details the band’s experience while touring of hangovers, travel by aeroplane and limousine, customs, FM radio, girls, breakfast, press reception, soundcheck and finally the show over a guitar riff that bursts into a short version of the Byrds hit before returning to the riff and the story. It includes the album title in the lyrics. This references a saying among guitar players: “It doesn’t matter if your guitar isn’t fully in tune, as long as it’s ‘close enough for rock ‘n’ roll.'”

“Vancouver Shakedown” is rock ’n’ roll at it finest, while “Lift the Lid” is a nice bloozy AOR track that has a distinctive ZZ Top feel at the bridge. “You’re the Violin” has goofy lyrics, notwithstanding, but there’s some exceptional guitar work by Manny Charlton.
A good album, and one that should consolidate Naz’s position as a first division band.
Highly Recommended

01. Telegram Part I – On Your Way
02. Telegram Part II – So You Want To Be A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
03. Telegram Part III – Sound Check
04. Telegram Pat IV – Here We Are Again
05. Vicki
06. Homesick Again
07. Vancouver Shakedown
08. Born Under The Wrong Sign
09. Loretta
10. Carry Out Feelings
11. Lift The Lid
12. You’re The Violin

Dan McCafferty – Lead Vocals
Manny Charlton – Guitars, Sythesizer, Backing Vocals
Pete Agnew – Bass, Piano, Backing Vocals
Darrell Sweet – Drums, Backing Vocals

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