Nazareth
Nazareth
℗ 1971 Mountain Records TOPC 5001
℗ 1971 Warner Brothers Records BS 215
℗ 1971 A & M Records SP 3169
℗ 1992 Castle Communications CLACD 286
This 1971 self-titled debut may stun fans who are accustomed to the hard-driving rock and gritty power ballads that characterize Nazareth's more popular work. Nazareth is a diverse collection of songs that points the way towards the pop leanings that would dominate the group's later output. Although it lacks the consistency of later albums like Hair of the Dog and Expect No Mercy, fans of 1970s rock will find plenty to enjoy on this surprisingly adventurous disc. The overall sound is softer than the hard rock the group is best known for, but that doesn't mean the album isn't lacking in good old-fashioned rock & roll. "Witchdoctor Woman" is a moody rocker built on a slow, spooky fuzz guitar riff, and the group's sinister cover of "Morning Dew" transforms this folk classic into a hard rock epic that provides a powerful showcase for Manny Charlton's powerful but imaginative guitar work. A lot of time is also devoted to country-styled ballads like "I Had a Dream" and "Country Girl," which set dreamy melodies against a gentle backdrop of keyboards and steel guitar. The most surprising thing about Nazareth is the experimental, effects-laden approach used to bring the songs to life; the best example is the use of a voice box guitar for the much of the vocal on "Fat Man," which enhances the loneliness of the lyrics. There are also touches of orchestration, the most interesting use appearing on "Red Light Lady," a song that starts off as a steamy, guitar-heavy rocker but transforms midway through into a stately ballad driven by a powerful string arrangement. All in all, Nazareth tries out too many different styles to ever cohere, but it does effectively show off the chops and songwriting skills of this oft-underrated band. It is a necessary listen for the group's fans and may even win over '70s rock fans who wouldn't normally go for the Nazareth sound. — Donald A. Guarisco. |
- 1. Witchdoctor Woman (Dan McCafferty — Manny Charlton) [04:10]
- 2. Dear John (Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [03:50]
- 3. Empty Arms, Empty Heart (Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [03:17]
- 4. I Had a Dream (Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew — Steve McCarthy) [03:25]
- 5. Red Light Lady (Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [06:00]
- 6. Fat Man (Dan McCafferty — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [03:27]
- 7. Country Girl (Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [04:09]
- 8. Morning Dew (Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [07:11]
- 9. The King is Dead (Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew) [04:45]
Участие в альбоме:
- Pete Agnew: bass, bass guitar, guitar, back vocals, lead vocals (4)
- Manny Charlton: guitar, back vocals
- Dan McCafferty: lead vocals
- Darrell Sweet: drums, back vocals
- B. J. Cole: slide guitar (7)
- Colin Fretcher: string and bass arrangements (5, 9)
- Dave Stewart: organ (5)
- Pete Wingfield: piano (2, 8)
- Peter York: congas, jawbone, tambourine (9)
Тексты:
Witchdoctor Woman
(Dan McCafferty — Manny Charlton)
I'll make the stars fall out of the sky Make the seas and the rivers run dry There is nothing I can't do Lord I'll put my spell on you Praise the mountains down to the ground Make the clouds and the rain fall down There is nothing I can't do Lord I'll put my spell on you I'm your witchdoctor woman And I'm gonna put my spell on you I'm your witchdoctor woman Lord I got my mind on you I'll make the stars fall out of the sky Make the seas and the rivers run dry There is nothing i can't do Lord i'll put my spell on you I'm your witchdoctor woman And I'm gonna put my spell on you I'm your witchdoctor woman Lord I got my mind on you Praise the mountains down to the ground Make the clouds and the rain fall down There is nothing I can't do Lord I'll put my spell on you I'm your witchdoctor woman And I'm gonna put my spell on you I'm your witchdoctor woman Lord I got my mind on you
Dear John
(Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew)
You came 'round today You never even knocked on my door Your note tried to say That you don't love me no more I want you by my side cause I wanna be your man I'm burning up inside cause I wanna be your man I had to be told From people that I meet in the street They are turning cold Without you I would not be complete I want you by my side cause I wanna be your man I'm burning up inside cause I wanna be your man Why did you write me in a letter A word from you would be much better I want you by my side cause I wanna be your man I'm burning up inside cause I wanna be your man Don't cast me aside Without you I could never survive Why did you decide To kill the love that keeps me alive I want you by my side cause I wanna be your man I'm burning up inside cause I wanna be your man
Empty Arms, Empty Heart
(Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew)
Now you say you're leaving Leaving me without a friend How can you do what you're doing to me How can you say you want to be free of me Now you say it's over And your walkin' out my door Tellin' me you're going away for good Never coming back and I'll never see you again You left me here with my empty arms My empty rooms And my empty heart is crying Nothing is left for me now you're gone It just ain't right and i know it can't last i'm dying Now you say you're leaving Leaving me without a friend How can you do what you're doing to me How can you say you want to be free of me You left me here with my empty arms My empty rooms And my empty heart is crying
I Had a Dream
(Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew — Steve McCarthy)
I had a dream I had a dream I saw the mission band, playing on the green It was the saddest thing, I have ever seen What did it mean, what did it all mean? And in my dream, in my same dream I saw the soldiers marching, on the green The band played a funeral march Many a tear was seen All in my dream, all in my dream I heard the lesson read, I heard the choir I saw the falling leaves, landing everywhere I saw the family gathered, crying in despair I was not there, I was not there
Red Light Lady
(Dan McCafferty — Darrell Sweet — Manny Charlton — Pete Agnew)
Down at the house with the red light She works from seven til dawn You'll find her there any time that you like Some days a week she'll be on Down at the house with the red light I was a boy not to sure of myself When I was first taken down Down to the house with the red light Two miles west of town I paid my fee and I went on in Into the house with the red light Pull up a chair up the stairs The key was cold and dampened my hand Opened the door, heard her say "Into my room and set yourself down" She let us lie on this shiny brass bed Curtains and flowers in her hair She played my soul and she shattered my head Could not believe I was there Down at the house with the red light I fell in love with that lady First love I knew, she gave me Seven days a week, you can find her Down ay the house with the red light I fell in love with that lady