SWEET – Desolation Boulevard [Remastered +9] *HQ*

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

If we speak about Classic Rock albums, put English glamsters SWEET third album “Desolation Boulevard” on the list. As requested, here’s the Sony / BMG remastered reissue including no less than 9 bonus tracks, based on the original 1974 European version.
Depending on which side of the Atlantic you came from would explain the enigma of this idiosyncratic album. The U.S. version had the backbone of “Sweet Fanny Adams”, produced by Phil Wainman, with the hit singles, “The Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox On The Run” added, plus songs from the European release which included “The Six Teens” (in my opinion the best song ever written by Chinn-Chapman).

In Europe the album was quite different, in as much as the whole project was recorded in a “live” situation, designed to reflect the atmosphere of the band in full flight – no restrictions. Mike Chapman, as producer, had a vision of capturing the band as bare boned as possible. Included were a couple of hit singles and an early version of “Fox On The Run” (later to be re-recorded), “Lady Starlight” (revamped and released as an “Andy Scott” solo single) plus the outstanding Mick Tucker drum solo in “Man With The Golden Arm”. “My Generation” with Steve Priest and Brian Connolly sharing the vocals, in a rip-roaring tribute to The Who, is a fitting end to the proceedings.

Such diversity only proves that the band was never going to be just formulaic, giving this album a definitive place in Sweet history. Both as the album that broke Sweet in America and as the best selling album to date in Europe, even though the content was different. “Desolation Boulevard” influenced so many bands and musicians, even players, which makes it all the more remarkable.
When Brian Connolly sang “On Desolation Boulevard they light the faded light…” a generation understood.
A Must Have

01 – The Six Teens
02 – Solid Gold Brass
03 – Turn It Down
04 – Medussa
05 – Lady Starlight
06 – Man With The Golden Arm
07 – Fox On The Run
08 – Breakdown
09 – My Generation
BONUS TRACKS:
10 – Teenage Rampage
11 – Own Up, Take A Look At Yourself (B-Side Of “Teenage Rampage”)
12 – Burn On The Flame (B-Side Of “The Six Teens”)
13 – Someone Else Will (B-Side Of “Turn It Down”)
14 – Medussa (Home Demo – Previously Unreleased)
15 – Burn On The Flame (Home Demo – Previously Unreleased)
16 – I Wanna Be Committed
17 – Fox On The Run (7″ Version)
18 – Miss Demeanor (B-Side Of “Fox On The Run”)

Brian Connolly – lead vocals
Steve Priest – bass, lead and backing vocals
Andy Scott – guitars, synthesizer, lead and backing vocals
Mick Tucker – drums, percussion, backing vocals

out of print