Bob Young: Back In Quo Country, Expanded Edition CD

• In 1968 - when the band that had previously been known as The Scorpions, The Spectres and Traffic Jam, became The Status Quo - Bob Young joined as their roadie, tour manager and harmonica player, until he stepped down from this role in 1981.

• He soon began a song writing partnership with Quo bassist Alan Lancaster, guitarist Rick Parfitt, but most prolifically with front man Francis Rossi. Spanning almost 50 years, Francis and Bob together wrote many Quo hits, including ‘Down Down’, ‘Caroline’ and ‘Dirty Water’, versions of which are included here.

• It should come as no surprise that Status Quo, the archetypal British boogie rockers, have a strong affinity for country music. Francis Rossi has always been fond of a lilting melody, an important ingredient in country music. He shares this taste with long-time collaborator Bob Young, who has devised this selection of well-known Status Quo songs, and given them the subtle country treatment he felt they deserved.

• “When I recorded this album I wasn’t trying at all to better the Quo songs. I just wanted to do a few of the songs I’d written, in the way that I wanted.” As well as Quo classics ‘Claudie’, ‘Mean Girl’ and ‘Living On An Island’ being given a country re-tread on the original 10 track album, they’re now joined by eight bonus tracks, including a take on Charlie Daniels’ ‘The Devil Went Down To Georgia’, plus ‘Chicago Blue’, ‘Just Close Your Eyes’ and ‘I’ll Be Back’, produced by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover.

• Bob is joined by some impressive guests, including long-time “Young & Moody” collaborator, Micky Moody on guitar, Albert Lee, Billy Bremner, B J Cole, Pete Wiltshire, and Quo’s Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt. As an extra treat for Quo fans, the album finishes on a writing session for the band’s first number one single, ‘Down Down’, recorded at the Travelodge Motel in Hollywood, on the band’s first American tour in 1973.

FOR FANS OF: STATUS QUO