‘Status Quo? All their songs sound the same and they only know three chords’ Really? This retrospective of one of Britain’s most successful bands takes this lazy criticism and puts it to the sword. Spanning the period 1970 to 1984, the creative peaks and troughs of all the songs recorded by ‘The Frantic Four’ are examined in detail by a fan who can play guitar a bit, and also knows his Bach from his byte. Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster, and John Coghlan withstood the slings and arrows of unending criticism to become a national institution, even playing to royalty along the way. After their early, psychedelic-influenced and fleeting pop success, Quo underwent a dramatic and natural re-invention, unleashing a series of innovative albums and hit singles, such as ‘Down Down’ and ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’ that established their unique sound and style. Relentless touring, changes in musical direction, unwise choices of producer, substantial substance abuse, and personality clashes all played their part in the collapse of the classic line-up before a brand re-launch in 1986 that enjoys continued success to the present day. Status Quo – The Frantic Four Years on track examines the band’s groundbreaking first era with critical detail and honest opinions. Richard James immersed himself in music as soon as he got his first real six-string at the age of ten. Previously chained to a desk for a living, he managed to escape and armed with a music degree from the Open University and a Licentiate Diploma in Classical Guitar from the Royal School of Music, now roams the East Midlands as a freelance guitarist and music teacher. He lives with his wife in Leicestershire, UK, and when not involved with music he enjoys travel, playing chess badly, and inventing new ways to tease his cats. This is his third book, following UFO On Track and Tom Petty On Track, both published in 2021.

本書は、ステイタス・クォーを「三コードの退屈なバンド」と断じる世俗的批判を、音楽学的知見と情熱で粉砕する野心作です。著者はクラシックギターの素養を武器に、彼らがサイケデリック期を経て独自のロック・スタイルを確立するまでの進化を、緻密な構造分析と共に鮮やかに描き出しています。 黄金期「フランティック・フォー」の栄光と没落を巡る人間ドラマも圧巻です。過酷なツアーや衝突が楽曲に刻んだ「魂の重層性」を解き明かす筆致は、表現者の孤独に肉薄する重厚な物語性を帯びています。読み終えた後、彼らの音楽はかつてないほど深遠で、力強い響きを持ってあなたの心に響くはずです。